Martha Muff Strachan

She is survived by Hugh, her loving husband of 55 years, four children: Andy, Cathy, Susan and Karen; and six grandchildren: Matt, Sarah, Kate, Thomas, Daniel and Emma.

Born in Amherst, Massachusetts on October 3, 1933, Martha reflected the “yankee” values of that beautiful college town – modesty, frugality, and a quiet determination to deal fairly and graciously with all. She was known by her family and home-town neighbors as Muff. She majored in Fine Arts at Swarthmore College, where she met her lifelong partner Hugh. Muff and Hugh married in Amherst shortly after college graduation. Muff and her growing family moved often but left footprints in a variety of communities – Pittsburgh (PA), Bethesda (MD), Kailua (Hawaii), Morristown (NJ), Tokyo, Potomac (MD), Hyde Park (NY) and Boca Raton (FL).

Wherever Martha lived she became involved in the life of her community, helping neighbors and church friends. From her parents Muff acquired a skill in sewing, weaving and hand-crafts. She made many of the clothes that her daughters wore, and often wove fabrics that became holiday gifts or wedding gifts for friends and family. This skill in fabrics and crafts and her tasteful use of colors led Muff into retail sales work. Muff was a cherished store worker and often the store manager in Bethesda, Hyde Park and Boca Raton. Her retail sales expertise made her a sought after participant in many community volunteer activities, including the Gumbo Limbo turtle shelter in Boca Raton and the Delray Beach Playhouse.

Martha was active in “Holly House”, the craft-oriented group at the Presbyterian Church in Delray Beach. Known as a great weaver and sewer, she was famous for weaving recycled plastic bag remnants together to make wonderful tote bags. She also designed and sewed colorful activity totes for children. Her “sewing circle” loved Martha's easy-going positive presence.

Muff’s family was always foremost in her love and concerns. Knowing that her many family relocations would add uncertainty to her children’s lives, she made a point of returning often to the family roots of Amherst. Muff was an enthusiastic supporter and organizer of the annual family reunions at an old family farm house – “Rocky Rest” – near Amherst that became the gathering place every Fourth of July. Throughout the years Muff’s children and grandchildren often returned to Rocky Rest for work and play and paint parties, and continue to do so today.

Muff loved God’s creatures and was an avid supporter of causes that help nature and the environment, especially shelters for Florida Keys birds, deer, turtles and manatees. She loved all the performing arts – Broadway musicals, concert music and dance, and particularly the live theater. Muff spent the last 30 months of her life in the senior living community of St Andrews in Boca Raton, where she loved the many friendships and social activities, and where she could watch the ducks and other water birds at play in the neighborhood lakes. Muff’s life was characterized by her grace and placid nature, her gentle touch and by her love and concern for family and friends.

A Memorial Service to celebrate the life of this lovely person will be held at Saint Andrews North senior living community in Boca Raton, Florida, on Saturday October 16 at 11:00 a.m.