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Martha Stearns Obituary
Born August 26, 1941, in Georgetown, South Carolina, she was the daughter of Carter Lee and Mary Ramey Ritchie. After graduating from Queens College in Charlotte, North Carolina, she began a long career in the old Bell System at Bell Laboratories and AT&T. After receiving a Distinguished Member of Technical Staff award for her work with the White House Communications Agency, she retired to Charlottesville and began a new career in Information Technology at the University of Virginia. She lead the University's Year 2000 effort to insure all its computer systems continued to function properly in the new millennium.
Interests in textiles and archaeology led Martha to memorable trips along the Silk Road in China, rafting the San Juan River in Utah in search of petroglyphs, exploring caves and castles in Europe, acquiring colorful clothing in India and Guatemala, gaining Hindu and Buddhist insights into the Khmer Kingdoms of Southeast Asia, and living for a month in small villages in the Dordogne region of France. She had just begun a new weaving project when her illness was diagnosed.
She is survived by her husband and travel mate, Steve Stearns; two daughters, Sara Campbell and her husband, Wes, and Polly Cueny and her husband, Mark; a son, Scott Stearns and his wife, Jodi; and five grandchildren, Ella Campbell, Isabella and Grace Cueny, and Selma and Kemper Stearns.
Her family invites relatives and friends to join them in recalling memories of Martha from 5:30 until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 12, 2007, at the Oakencroft Winery. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in her name to the Albemarle SPCA.
Friends may sign the guest register at teaguefuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Martha Stearns
Mary Anne Lally-Graves
December 16, 2007
Sara,
My thoughts are with you at this saddest of times. I have been where you are now that both my parents are gone (dad died in Nov) but I know life is never the same. Love to you. Mary Anne
Rose & Paul Scaffidi
December 12, 2007
Sara & family, so very sorry to hear of your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Amy Richardson
December 12, 2007
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sue and Dale Sargent
December 11, 2007
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love,
Aunt Sue and Uncle Dale
Dawnelle Sager
December 11, 2007
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Chuck and Linda Cueny
December 11, 2007
Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family at this time. May your memories comfort you.
With love,
Andrew & Lori Norton
December 11, 2007
Polly & family,
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Andrew, Lori, Jacob & Sarah Norton
Ray and Marcie Hancock
December 10, 2007
So sorry for your loss. Our thought and prayers are with you.
Ray, Marcie, Lilli, and R.J. Hancock
Tina Harris
December 10, 2007
Martha and I worked together at HSF. She was an extremely wonderful and caring woman, whom I will always remember.
She and I lost touch 2 years after I left HSF.
Martha was one of those people who you never forget.
She will remain a very fond memory in my heart.
My condolences to the family.
Roberta Mason
December 10, 2007
Steve and Family,
Your family here at ITC Communication Services has you and your family in our prayers. Our hearts go out to you and just know that we are here for you.
Greg Whitmer, DDS and Staff
December 10, 2007
So Sorry for your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Karen McDowell
December 10, 2007
Dear Steve, children and grandchildren,
I am so sad for your loss. I worked with Martha the last three years she worked at ITC, and I grew to love her.
She is one of the finest human beings, and most interesting, I have ever met. She had the best sense of humor, in part becaue I think she wore the world like a loose garment. She made my work so much easier and always pleasant and fun. I have missed her, but cannot imagine how you will miss her. Martha was an amazing and awesome person!
I will pray for you all that you will find some comfort at this time.
Peace
Karen McDowell
Yolanda Houff
December 10, 2007
Sara, my heartfelt condolences at the loss of your mother. I will include you and your extended family in my prayers. I hope you all find comfort in your fond rememberances of time spent with her.
Yolanda Houff
Barbara Knisley
December 10, 2007
Steve, May God embrace you & your family in your time of sorrow. Our thoughts & prayers are with you.
Barbara Knisley & family.
Amie Wolfe
December 10, 2007
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Stearns family. ( I worked with Sara at HSF).
Maureen Hoffman
December 10, 2007
Sorry about the loss of your wife, mother and grandmother.
Susie Wharton
December 10, 2007
My thought and prayers are with you and your family at this time. I'm sure you have such beautiful memories to live with,only time and God can mend you broken hearts. If there is anything I can do please let me know.
Marcia Parrish
December 10, 2007
Sara, I'm thinking of you during this difficult time. May you find comfort in knowing that your mother is no longer suffering and is at peace.
Dan & Marian Williams
December 10, 2007
Our love and sympathy are with you during this time. Polly, your Mom was most memorable and had quite an amazing life, which reflects in you.
Love,
Aunt Marian & Uncle Dan
Margie and Karl Jacob
December 9, 2007
We are so sorry to hear of your loss but know that your Mom/ Grandma will be with you always. Our love and prayers are with all the family.
Aunt Margie & Uncle Karl
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