Martha Frances Sargent

Martha Frances Sargent (Bassett), died September 20th, 2016, at age 87, in Springfield, VA, following a massive brain hemorrhage.

Martha was born February 21,1929, in Sandown, NH, as the 7th child of 16. She was active in 4-H, Grange, and her church. She graduated from Sanborn Seminary, in Kingston, in 1947, and Keene State Teacher's College in 1951. On July 12th, 1953, she married Richard E. Sargent, a naval officer from Concord, NH.

Martha was a wonderful Navy wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She also worked as a teacher while raising two young children. She was an active leader in Scouts, church, garden club, civic association, Ataxia Foundation, and neighborhood activities.

From 1976-2015, Martha and Richard lived in Ravensworth Farms Community, in Springfield, VA. A 2006 Declaration of Dick and Martha Sargent Day recognized their many years of service to Ravensworth Farms and Lake Accotink Park.

In 2015, Martha and Dick moved to Greenspring Continuing Care Community, in Springfield, VA, where they have been extremely happy.

Martha is survived by her husband, Cmdr. Richard E. Sargent, USN (Ret), of 63 years; children Nancy (Tom) and Walter; 4 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; 6 siblings: Wendell (Barbara), Donald (Marjorie), Bill (Pam), David (Sandra), Carroll (Arlene), and Kenneth; and sister-in-law, Kathy. She was pre-deceased by 9 other siblings: Charles, Hazel, Raymond, Eva, Eleanor, Robert, Norman, Richard, and Irving, and her parents, Raymond K. and Priscilla D. Bassett.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Greenspring Benevolent Care Fund, 7410 Spring Village Drive, Springfield, VA, 22150, Attn: Philanthropy.

Viewing will be held on Thursday, September 29th, 2-4 pm, at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home, Fairfax, VA. Burial at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. To read the full obituary or sign the online condolence book, please visit: www. fmfh.com