Martha S (Sanford) Tuft

Martha Sanford Tuft, 95 of Rotterdam Jct., NY passed away peacefully on June 29, 2013 surrounded by her family.Born February 15, 1918 in Stamford, NY, she was the daughter of the late Josephine Gilbert Sanford and G. Dewitt Sanford. "Marty" received her bachelor's degree from Oneonta Normal School.She loved to learn and shared that life long passion with her students.Her first teaching assignment was in a one room schoolhouse in Scotch Church grades 1-8. At that time, teachers boarded with families in the community and she was fortunate to have a room with the Tuft family.There she met Bill Tuft and following his return from World War II they married in 1947.Marty also taught at Charlotte Valley Central School and Woestina School during and after the war.In 1961 Marty returned to school and received a Master of Library Science degree from SUNY Albany.She began teaching in the Schenectady School District as a library media specialist in 1963 in Riverside and Grout Park schools.She also was librarian in the Nott Terrace, Franklin, and Martin Luther King schools retiring in 1980. Marty was known for her dynamic story telling and inspiring children to read. Marty and Bill joined the Electric City Twirlers in 1967 and learned to square dance.They traveled with friends and visited many sites throughout their retirement years. A favorite trip that Marty always talked about was their trip to Alaska. Marty had a wonderful sense of humor and she always said that it was important to be able to laugh at yourself.It gave her great pleasure to find just the right greeting card to send to others.In later years, Marty began to knit sweaters for young children around the world. She made hundreds of sweaters through the Guidepost Magazine's program knitforkids.org.If you are a knitter, please think about joining this effort.She marveled at nature and was in awe of its beauty and power.She was patient, positive and forward in her thinking. Her inner strength helped her to take health issues in stride. She loved her family and is survived by her daughter Margaret, of Rotterdam Junction, her daughter Janice and son-in-law Christian Davis of Weybridge, Vermont and her nephew, John Downes of Rotterdam. She was predeceased by her husband Bill in 1995. Marty was a member of Christ's Church of the Hills.She served on the J.E.M. Council, helped to fill holiday food baskets, staff the food pantry, and scrubbed trays at the Salvation Army Soup kitchen. The family wishes to thank all of her caregivers who helped Marty to maintain a high quality of life. When Marty was growing up, her father was a volunteer firefighter in Delaware County.She has always held emergency responders in high esteem.In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Rotterdam Junction Volunteer Fire Department, 1215 Main Street, Rotterdam Junction, NY 12150.Or, Rotterdam Emergency Medical Services 2007 Cardiff Road, Schenectady, New York 12303. A celebration of Marty's life will be held on Friday, July 12, 2013 at 11:00 AM at Christ's Church of the Hills, 4809 Mariaville Road, Schenectady, NY. A graveside service will follow.