Martha Jane Soltow Obituary

Martha Jane Soltow

Isle of Palms - Martha Jane Soltow, 101, of Isle of Palms, South Carolina, passed away on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

Born on July 9, 1924, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Mulford and Myrtle Stough.

Martha Jane was a graduate of Dickinson College and held an M.L.S. from Pratt Institute. She had over 20 years of experience as the Librarian for the School of Labor and Industrial Relations at Michigan State University. She was a noted bibliographer and researcher who specialized in American labor history, particularly women's roles in the workforce. She was also the author of several widely recognized reference books of information sources on industrial relations and personnel management. During her tenure at the university, she mentored a new generation of leaders, leaving behind a legacy of wisdom and professional excellence.

After she and her husband Jim retired to Isle of Palms, S.C., from Michigan, she traveled extensively to England, became an active parishioner at Stella Maris Catholic Church, volunteered in the community, and started a consulting business with Jim.

She spent her later years sharing Carmel, her mountain house in North Carolina, and the panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean from her home on the Isle of Palms with family and friends.

Martha Jane was a very independent woman who knew no stranger and kept close her family and treasured friends. She was a tireless advocate for animal welfare.

Martha Jane is preceded in death by her parents and James H. Soltow, her husband of 54 years. She is survived by her nephew Steve Mathues (Lynda).

The family will receive friends on February 19, 2026 from 4:00-5:00 p.m. at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home and Cremation in Mt. Pleasant.

There is a Latin Mass at 3:30 p.m. on February 20, 2026 at Stella Maris Catholic Church, 1204 Middle Street, Sullivan's Island, SC. Interment will be private for immediate family in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor her life can make a donation in her name to or volunteer at your local wildlife conservation or animal rescue organization.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation, 1520 Rifle Range Road Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, 843-884-3833

We invite you to share a memory and sign our guest book.