Margaret (Marti) Mary Saunderson was born on March 19, 1927 to Eloise and Arlie Ferdon in Denver Colorado. She grew up with 2 sisters, Arlene and Joanne.
After a stint of factory work during WWII, Marti went to college in Boulder for two years and got a job teaching first grade in Cripple Creek, Colorado, before meeting her soon to be husband, Bill Saunderson, at a USO dance. They married on June 12, 1948. Following job opportunities, Marti and Bill traversed north and then west to the Seattle area and settled in Burien, WA to raise their six children.
Marti proved to be a master manager of her family’s needs, balancing the budget while providing fun and adventure, especially through her own magical talents of bringing beauty, creativity and music to her children’s lives. Our house was filled with art, much of it by Marti’s own hand. She was an expert seamstress, flower arranger and cook. She created lamps and chandeliers with resin and glass and many beautiful pieces of decoupage.
Marti was also a curious person, a lifelong learner. She read constantly and was always ready to scour the Encyclopedia Britannica for help with homework so she could explore along with her children.
Marti deeply enjoyed life, and over her 98 plus years, she also found sustenance from friends and family, her religion, her years as a foster mom to nine newborns, volunteering for Traveler’s Aid, attending Seattle Opera, traveling to Elder hostels and most recently, her caretakers.
We love you, Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma! Thanks for sharing your worlds with us.
We’ll listen for your happy whistle as we carry on down the road.
PS No one can make a better Rice-a-Roni dinner in the pouring rain on a camp stove under a tarp than Marti Saunderson.
