Marta Bergendahl

YARMOUTHPORT — Marta ("Martita," "Tita") Bergendahl was born in 1925 in Hudson, N.Y., the only child of Henry and Mizzi Obando. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Syracuse University, and married radio executive William H. Schwarz. Tita and Bill raised two sons, Douglas and Erik, in Scarsdale, N.Y. The family enjoyed many happy times, including 20 years of summer camping, especially at Wild River in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

In the late 1960s, Tita returned to school, earning a Master of Library Science at Columbia University. She worked as head of the Fine Arts Department in the Yonkers Public Library, and later in the same capacity in the Minneapolis Public Library. In the late 1980s, Martita married Earl Bergendahl - a retired commercial artist and amateur jazz pianist. The couple soon retired to Yarmouthport. They were active members of the Barnstable Unitarian Church. Martita also volunteered for the Cape Art Museum and Science Museum, and also served for many years as chair of the tri-town library board.

Marta Bergendahl died peacefully on July 16, 2008. She is survived by a son, Douglas, and his wife, Colleen; a son, Erik, and his wife, Beth, and their three daughters Kendal, Anna and Lilly.

Donations in Martita's memory may be sent to the Barnstable Unitarian Church or the Cape Cod Art Museum.