Martha Emerling Garrett, noted administrator
Martha Emerling Garrett, 58, passed away suddenly in her Lewes home Friday, Dec. 16, 2016. Her loving parents, Jerome Martin and Helen Marie (Frink) Emerling of Perry, N.Y., preceded her in death. In the last 20 years Martha lived in Newark, Lansdowne, Pa., and Haddonfield, N.J.
Martha held a master's degree in International Administration from the School for International Training in Brattleboro, Vt., and a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York in Fredonia, N.Y. She worked in a variety of nonprofit leadership roles, including serving as the director of the Schwartz Foundation in Mount Laurel, N.J., and simultaneously as the director of Foundations Inc., a youth development program promoting academic enrichment in out-of-school time. She was a leader in her field creating partnerships with school districts and developing out-of-school programs within schools, enabling Foundations Inc. to invest funds in direct services and not building expensive facilities.
Martha also served as special assistant to the president and CEO of Northern Home Children and Family Services in Philadelphia, Pa., where she supported better client outcomes through the utilization of nationally recognized standards of best practices and continual quality improvement frameworks. She was an organized, focused and thoughtful administrator who led with great integrity. She recently returned to Lewes to become the founding director of the Cape Center for Movement Disabilities.
Martha had many interests, including art, gardening, music, decorating, fashion and cooking. Although she suffered with a visual impairment, Martha had incredible vision, and saw beauty in intricate details of life. She enjoyed collecting art, and had tremendous admiration for handwork such as quilting, needlepoint and knitting.
Most importantly, Martha loved life and people. As an administrator she was beloved by her co-workers. Family and friends treasured her easy smile, quiet laugh and gentle presence. She brought light, laughter and life everywhere she went. She dealt with her physical limitations with courage and hope and never complained. She was interested in others, and always avoided being the center of attention. Her deep sense of humility touched all who knew her.
Martha is missed by many friends and both her own and her husband's families: Her husband of 20 years, Richard Garrett of Lewes; her sister and brother-in-law, Mary Jo and Dale Hewitt of Concord, N.C.; and two brothers and sisters-in-law, Tom and Margaret Emerling of Billings, Mont., and John and Elizabeth Emerling of Perry, N.Y.
A Celebration of Life is planned for Friday, Jan. 27, at 11 a.m., at Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach. A luncheon will follow in the church hall. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, Martha's family suggests donations to the Cape Center for Movement Disabilities, P.O. Box 657, Lewes, DE 19958.
Please visit Martha's Memorial Webpage and sign her online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
