Martha E. Spang

Schenectady - Martha “Marti” Jane Elliot Spang, 88, of Niskayuna, NY passed away on October 10th, 2024, at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, NY. Marti was born on March 23rd, 1936, in

Springfield, MA, the only child of Frank and Dorothy (MacPhee) Elliot.

Marti graduated from The MacDuffie School and went on to Colby Jr. College and then

Connecticut College. She met the love of her life and husband of 67 years, H. Austin

Spang III of New Haven, CT, on a blind date while in college. They married just after

graduation in 1957 and together raised 3 children, H. Austin IV, Susan, and Linda.

Along with her husband, Marti was an active member of St. Stephen's Episcopal

Church, including the choir, bell choir, and vestry. She believed strongly in giving back

and supporting her community and was a dedicated volunteer. She donated her time

and talents to many organizations, such as the Schenectady Inner City Ministry’s

Summer Lunch Program and Food Pantry and Schenectady Hospice, where she served

as the volunteer coordinator for a time. She also volunteered with the Schenectady

County Library, Girl Scouts, Bethesda House, and AAUW. She won the Volunteer of the

Year Award from the Schenectady YWCA in 2011. At that time, she had been a Hospice

volunteer for 22 years. When she wasn’t volunteering, Marti found time to become an

accomplished knitter and needleworker. She also loved to cook and bake. Her artichoke

appetizer dip and scotch bars remain cherished family recipes. She enjoyed puzzles

and was an enthusiastic Red Sox fan. In the summer, she was usually found with a

book or crossword puzzle, sitting outside at her lake house on Lake St. Catherine in

Vermont.

Marti is survived by her husband H. Austin Spang III, son H. Austin Spang IV and his

wife Linda, daughter Susan Spang and her wife Mary Jane Zanelli, and daughter Linda

Spang and her wife Denise Elwart. She also leaves behind her granddaughter

Anastacia Southland and husband Peter, grandson Hal Spang and wife Audrey, and

one great-grandson, Elliot Southland.

A funeral will be held at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 1935 The Plaza, Schenectady, NY on October 19th at 11am. Reception is to follow at the church. Interment will be at St.

Stephen's. Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to Schenectady Inner City Ministry or

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.

Arrangements are entrusted to Jones Funeral Home, 2020 Central Ave, Colonie.

To leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.jonesfh.net.