Martha Lillard Obituary: Last Known American Iron Lung User and Polio Survivor Dies at 78 After Long COVID Complications

Martha Lillard Obituary: Last Known American Iron Lung User and Polio Survivor Dies at 78 After Long COVID Complications

Martha Lillard Obituary: Martha Ann Lillard, the last known American to rely on an iron lung for survival after contracting polio as a child, has died at the age of 78. Lillard passed away on June 26, 2026, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, following complications from long-haul COVID-19, according to her obituary.

For more than seven decades, Lillard’s life was closely connected to the historic medical device that helped keep her alive after polio left her unable to breathe independently. Her story became a symbol of resilience, courage, and the lasting impact of one of the world’s most devastating diseases.

Early Life and Battle With Polio
Lillard contracted polio in 1953 at the age of 5, during a period when the virus was spreading widely across the United States. The disease attacked her muscles and severely affected her ability to breathe, leading doctors to place her inside an iron lung — a large metal breathing machine that used external negative pressure ventilation to help patients inhale and exhale.

At the height of her illness, Lillard spent most of her time inside the machine. As she grew stronger, she gradually adapted to life with the iron lung, eventually using it mainly while sleeping.

Despite the challenges, Lillard viewed the machine not as a limitation but as the device that gave her the gift of life.

“I would rather not need it at all. But sometimes when I get in there, I say, ‘Thank you,’” she said in a 2021 episode of Radio Diaries. “It’s the thing that’s been there that saved my life and I know that it’s the only thing that’s kept me here.”

Life With an Iron Lung
As modern ventilators replaced iron lungs over the years, the machines became increasingly rare. However, Lillard continued using hers because she believed it provided the greatest comfort and reliability.

The aging machine presented many challenges. Beginning in the 1990s, Lillard struggled to find replacement parts and repairs as fewer people were familiar with maintaining the decades-old technology.

She also faced emergencies caused by power outages, including an ice storm that left her without electricity. During that incident, her emergency generator failed, forcing her to call for assistance.

By the final years of her life, Lillard depended on the iron lung for much of the day, using it as she continued her fight against declining health.

A Life of Service and Creativity
Beyond her remarkable medical journey, Lillard was remembered as a compassionate and creative member of her community in Shawnee.

She volunteered with the Pottawatomie County Humane Society, worked with a local daycare center, and contributed her time to a crisis phone line. Those who knew her described her as someone who brought kindness and positivity to others despite the obstacles she faced.

Lillard also expressed herself through art and creativity. She painted, wrote poetry, and composed music for left-hand piano, showing a passion for creativity throughout her life.

Family and Loved Ones
Martha Ann Lillard is survived by her husband, her sister and brother-in-law, along with several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Her passing marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in medical history. For decades, she represented the small number of polio survivors whose lives were sustained by iron lungs, reminding the world of the devastating impact of polio and the importance of medical progress.

Legacy and Remembrance
Martha Lillard will be remembered not only as the last known American iron lung user but also as a woman who showed remarkable strength, determination, and gratitude throughout a lifetime of challenges.

Her story continues to inspire conversations about resilience, disability, medical innovation, and the importance of compassion toward those living with lifelong health challenges.

May her memory be a blessing, and may her family and loved ones find comfort during this time of loss.