Patricia Irene Martz, lovingly known as Patti, passed away on May 6, 2026, at INOVA Fair Oaks Hospital in Fairfax, Virginia, after a courageous year and a half battle with lung cancer and an inoperable hernia. Born on November 14, 1964, in Wayne County, Michigan, Patti’s life was marked by determination, warmth, and an enduring generosity of spirit.

Patti’s career was a reflection of her dynamic personality and her love for nurturing growth—both literal and metaphorical. She grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania and left for Northern Virginia on her first big life adventure in the 1980's where she worked in the banking industry for many years. Later in her professional journey, she founded and managed a landscaping company called Personal Touch, where her remarkable green thumb and passion for gardening shone brightly. Her home's many gardens stood as a testament to this love, full of verdant beauty and careful cultivation. Later, she devoted over two decades to helping her husband, Joe, build and successfully run JP Certifications, a small biotech repair and calibration company that thrived under their shared dedication and collaboration.

Known for her organizational prowess and unwavering determination, Patti possessed a remarkable talent for bringing people together. She relished entertaining and organizing gatherings, creating joyful occasions that strengthened the bonds among friends and family alike. Her readiness to lend a helping hand to those in need was a defining trait, deeply appreciated by all who knew her. Patti’s family and friends remember her not only for her strength and kindness but also for the vibrant life she and her husband embraced together.

She also had many adventures traveling extensively with her husband whenever possible, that included camping in the Peruvian Amazon jungle, sailing the Virgin Islands for a week on a rented 40 foot sailboat, and visiting loved ones across Europe and the United States—from Holland and England to Mallorca, Spain, and many American states and more recently a cruise to South America from Argentina, around Cape Horn to Chile.

She is survived by her devoted husband Joe Martz; her beloved siblings, Peter Knibbe, Anita Knibbe, and James Knibbe; all of whom carry forward her memory with profound love and respect. Patti was preceded in death by her father, Pieter Knibbe, and her mother, Johanna Klaassen.

Patricia Irene Martz’s legacy is one of resilience, heartfelt compassion, and a joyful life of family, friendship, and nature. Those who were fortunate to know Patti will remember her organizing spirit, her nurturing heart, and the vibrant green spaces she cultivated both outdoors and in the lives of others. Her loss leaves a quiet yet enduring space in the hearts of many.