COLUMBIA - Martha Amanda Dixon Sennema, age 84, died peacefully in her sleep on August 28, 2018. Born March 23, 1934, in Abbeville, South Carolina, Marty was the only child of Claude Alexander Dixon and Daisy Lanier Dixon. She was a graduate of Inman High School in 1950, and Winthrop College in 1954, where she was listed in “Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges” and Senior Order. She went on to receive an M.A. from George Peabody College for teachers, and an M.Ed. in Elementary Administration from The University of South Carolina.
Marty met her husband, Dave, when they both appeared in a musical, “Call Me Madam”, at the Columbia Town Theater in 1958. They were married shortly after that, on February 22, 1958.
She taught music in the Richland One schools for many years, and then became a classroom teacher, 5th grade AAP, at St. Andrews/Rhame Elementary School until her retirement in 1996. In 1981 she founded, organized and directed a district-wide Richland One elementary chorus. From 1962 to 1964 she was co-director of music, along with her husband, at Incarnation Lutheran Church of Columbia where she directed bell and children’s choirs, and held the same position at Covenant Presbyterian Church from 1964 to 1969.
When her family moved to Fairfax, Virginia in 1970, Marty became active as a volunteer in the schools, and served as coordinator of the “Concerts-in-the-Schools Committee” of the Fairfax County Council on the Arts, where she coordinated scheduling and evaluation of more than 80 concerts, working with performing artists and school administrators.
When the family subsequently moved to Springfield, Illinois, Marty did some substitute teaching, and became chairman of Children’s Concerts of the Springfield Symphony Guild, where she created, organized, and implemented a concert preparation project for public, private and parochial schools in Sangamon County. She also served as chairman of the organizing board of the Illinois Youth Symphony.
After returning to Columbia in 1976 Marty became active again in Shandon Presbyterian Church, where she was appointed director of the children’s choirs. She served as coordinator of Adult Church School classes from 1980 to 1985, and was elected an Elder in 1985, and served two sessions as coordinator of the Worship Ministry.
Marty was active in a myriad of committees and activities in Richland School District One and St. Andrews/Rhame Elementary School, including the chairmanship of a Ten Year Self Study Committee at St. Andrews Elementary. She was elected Teacher of the Year at St. Andrews Elementary in 1983-84.
Marty was a talented pianist who enjoyed sitting down at the piano and playing just about anything by ear as well as being able to play the classics. At Still Hopes Retirement Community, where she was a beloved resident, she sang in the choir, played in the chime choir, and participated in such events as the Music Parlor Dedication. At Still Hopes she was also a member of the Art, Activities and Library Committees.
Marty is survived by her husband of sixty years, David Sennema; son, Daniel Sennema (Tammy) of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; daughter, Julie Tampa (John) of Southern Pines, N.C.; daughter, Alice Lawrence (Darin) of Parkersburg, WV; and three grandchildren, Daisy and Harper Grace Lawrence, of Parkersburg, WV, and Grey Tampa of Leavenworth, Washington. Marty loved being a mother and grandmother, and was extremely proud of her children and grandchildren, who adored her.
A memorial service in honor of Marty will be held at Shandon Presbyterian Church at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 8, 2018 with the Reverend Doctor W. Stewart Rawson and the Reverend John Cook officiating. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Shandon Presbyterian Church, 607 Woodrow St., Columbia, S.C., 29205, or to the Resident Assistance Fund at Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community, 1 Still Hopes Drive, West Columbia, S.C., 29169.
Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.
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