Martha Emerling-Garrett's Obituary
Martha Emerling Garrett, 58, passed away suddenly in her Lewes home on December 16, 2016. Her loving parents Jerome Martin and Helen Marie (Frink) Emerling of Perry New York preceded her in death. In the last twenty years Martha lived in Newark, DE; Lansdowne, PA; and Haddonfield, NJ.
Martha held a Masters Degree in International Administration from the School for International Training in Brattleboro, VT and a Bachelor Degree from the State University of New York in Fredonia, NY. She worked in a variety of non-profit leadership roles including serving as the Director of the Schwartz Foundation in Mount Laurel, NJ and simultaneously as the Director of Foundations, Inc, a youth development program promoting academic enrichment in out-of-school-time. She was a leader in her field creating partnerships with school districts and developing out-of-school programs within schools; enabling Foundations, Inc. to invest funds in direct services and not building expensive facilities.
Martha also served as Special Assistant to the President and CEO of Northern Home Children and Family Services in Philadelphia, PA where she supported better client outcomes through the utilization of nationally recognized standards of best practices and continual quality improvement frameworks. She was an organized, focused and thoughtful administrator who led with great integrity. She recently returned to Lewes to become the founding Director of the Cape Center for Movement Disabilities.
Martha had many interests including art, gardening, music, decorating, fashion and cooking. Although she suffered with a visual impairment, Martha had incredible vision and saw beauty in intricate details of life. She enjoyed collecting art and had tremendous admiration for handwork such as quilting, needlepoint, and knitting.
Most importantly Martha loved life and people. As an administrator she was beloved by her co-workers. Family and friends treasured her easy smile, quiet laugh and gentle presence. She brought light, laughter and life everywhere she went. She dealt with her physical limitations with courage and hope and never complained. She was interested in others and always avoided being the center of attention. Her deep sense of humility touched all who knew her.
Martha is missed by many friends and both her own and her husband’s families: Her husband of 20 years, Richard Garrett of Lewes, her sister and brother-in-law, Mary Jo and Dale Hewitt of Concord, North Carolina; and two brothers and sisters-in-laws, Tom and Margaret Emerling of Billings, Montana; and John and Elizabeth Emerling of Perry, New York.
A Celebration of Life is planned for January 27 at 11:00 a.m. at Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. A luncheon will follow in the church hall. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematoirum, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes, DE.
In lieu of flowers, Martha’s family suggests donations to the Cape Center for Movement Disabilities, P.O. Box 657, Lewes, DE 19958.
Please sign Martha's online guestbook located on this site.
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