Martha Spendlove Strohl

Martha Spendlove Strohl of Saratoga Springs, NY died on September 7, 2023. Martha was born on November 24, 1942, in Sanford, ME, to Albert and Dorothy Symonds Spendlove. The family moved to Worcester, MA, in 1946, where her sister Katherine was born. The Spendloves spent many happy summers on Mousam Lake, in Emery Mills, ME. In 1949 the family moved to Nashua, NH. Her years in Nashua were the happiest of her childhood, and the friends she made there became lifelong relationships that brought her much joy. She graduated from Lower Merion High School (PA) in 1960 and graduated from Wilson College 1964. While at Wilson, Martha forged deep friendships that exist to this day. Martha married Dale Strohl in 1964. They divorced in 1985. They share one daughter, Laura Strohl Sanzel, son-in-law Ken Sanzel, and granddaughter Maya Sanzel. Martha had a varied career, finding her greatest success at Reader’s Digest in Pleasantville, NY. Her position as the Head of International Human Resources provided many opportunities for international travel and she touched ground on six continents. Martha subsequently married Thomas B. O’Connor Jr. (d. 2020). She cherished the time she spent with Tom and his large, loving family of three sons and daughters-in-law: Kevin and Chryse O’Connor, Sean O’Connor, Leah O’Connor, Timothy O’Connor and their beloved grandchildren Madison, Alexia, and Samantha. Martha loved life with Tom in Saratoga Springs. She made lasting friends and became a dynamic presence in several charities and community programs. She worked hard during the first Obama campaign to register young voters at Skidmore College. Particularly near and dear to her heart was her work for Opera Saratoga, where she retired from her position as President of the Board of Directors last year. Martha leaves her daughter, Laura Strohl Sanzel, son-in-law Ken and granddaughter Maya; sister Katherine Talmadge Salle and her husband Pierre; niece Becky, Becky’s husband Craig, and their children William, Matthew, and Natalie. She had a quick wit and bold perspective; her interests were many and varied. She made friends wherever she went, and her lasting legacy will be those friendships. A celebration-of-life will occur in Saratoga Springs in November. Burial will be in Sanford, Maine, at Oakdale Cemetery on Saturday June 22, 2024 at11:00. In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made to Opera Saratoga and Saratoga Plan.