Obituary of Margaret Martin

Margaret Louise "Peggy" (nee Guentensperger) Martin died at Highland Hospital in Rochester, NY, on July 1, 2015 after a short-term illness. Peggy was born in Quakertown, Pennsylvania on July 15, 1939 to the late William Guentensperger and Catherine Marie Weber. She was named after two dear aunts - her father's sister Margaret and her mother's sister Louise, but she was always called "Peggy." The family moved to the Binghamton area where Peggy attended school. Excelling through all her years (in fact, never achieving less than an "A" on any report card all her years), Peggy graduated with honors from North High School in 1957. She was an accomplished musician, from playing snare drum in the school's marching band to accompanying scores of students on piano for NYSSMA competitions. Peggy completed two years of nurses' training before marrying and beginning a family. She lived in Cortland, NY, for over 50 years. Many will remember her for her winsome personality and success as a realtor with Murray Real Estate, a business she enjoyed for a very long time with her friend and companion Jim Murray. She also spent several years working in the Cortland Public Defender's office. A lifelong Christian, Peggy continued to use her musical talents in several venues, playing for area churches including St. Paul's Lutheran (Cortland), Holy Spirit Lutheran (Cortland), Holy Trinity Lutheran (Skaneateles), and Homer Avenue United Methodist (Cortland). She also played for hospital benefits and many private social events with her friend Bob Harrison. Peggy enjoyed entertaining and hosted parties for friends and co-workers. She was an outstanding cook and interior decorator. She loved her many pets – bassett hounds Tippy, Tessie and Sabrina, in the middle years, and kitties Pywacket, Flopsy and Simba, in the later years. Most of all, Peggy loved her family. She loved every bit of news when apart and looked forward to holiday gatherings and any other chance to be together. As a child and teen, she loved visiting Ogunquit, Maine with her family, cooking out and eating lobsters along the rocky coast, and watching whales from the high bluff of Sea Cliff. Later, she enjoyed visits to Oak Island, NC – taking early morning beach walks and reveling in treasures found along the shore. She also enjoyed traveling to western NY, Virginia and Texas Peggy is survived by her sister Diane "Dannie" Sullivan and her husband Phil of Austin, Texas; her son Tim Martin and his wife Tracey of Mount Morris, NY; her daughter Susan "Suey" Nordberg and her husband Martin of Woodbridge, Virginia; her granddaughters Angelle and Tawny Martin and Melody, Molly and Emily Nordberg; her step-grandson Shane Cochran, her nieces Marnie Neely and Jamie Cotton and their families, and many dear friends. At Peggy's request, there will be no calling hours or memorial service. Please remember her for the joy she brought to others through music, laughter and service. Those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider the Homer Ave United Methodist Church, 30 Homer Ave. Cortland, N.Y. 13045, or a charity of your choice. To Offer online condolences, please visit www.wright-beard.com