Martha Penharlow, aged 79, passed away on Saturday, March 6th at Brooks Hospital. She was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, and a treasured friend to many. Martha always focused on the positive. As a three-time breast cancer survivor, she was no stranger to adversity, but she faced the hard times with a smile. Her positive attitude, strength, and empathy will continue to be an inspiration to her family.
Martha was born on February 26, 1942 in Lockport, New York to Edna and Franklin Goodridge. She was a loving older sister to her siblings, Nancy, John, Virginia, Charlie, and Ellen. She attended Bryant and Stratton College before marrying and becoming a mother to her three daughters, Julie, Jill and Bethany. She later went on to earn her Licensed Practical Nurse degree from Jamestown School of Practical Nursing. She began her career as a nurse at Brooks Memorial Hospital in Dunkirk, NY and continued in nursing for many years.
Martha was happily married to Robert Penharlow, who was her beloved partner in life for 33 years until the time of her death. Martha and Bob were devoted to one another and thoroughly enjoyed their life together on the lake.
Martha was very active in the First United Methodist Church of Fredonia. She enjoyed attending church and bible study, and serving on the Hospitality Committee. She was passionate about gardening and acquired certification as a master gardener. She was a longtime member of the Dunkirk/Fredonia Chadwick Bay Garden Club, serving at one time as club secretary. Martha enjoyed reading, spending time with her dog, Penny, and cooking. She made the BEST spaghetti sauce! She loved Lake Erie, and would often sit with her friends in the evenings to watch the sunset. Martha always looked forward to spending time with her children and grandchildren. Her grandchildren will miss collecting sea glass with her on their summer visits.
Martha is survived by her husband, Robert Penharlow, her daughters, Julie (Ira) Rosenkrantz, Jill (James) Moore, and Bethany (Richard) Spaziante, two children through marriage, David (Lisa) Penharlow and Deborah Arcoleo, and several grandchildren, Stephen and Erinn Rosenkrantz, Andrew and Emma Moore, Jonathan and Benjamin Spaziante, Tiffany Yerico, Allison Muck, Olivia (Ted) Widger, Jack Penharlow, and Paul and Emily Arcoleo, and her siblings, Nancy Hariani, John Goodridge, Virginia Costantini, Charles Goodridge, Ellen Bernhardt, and David Hauser.
Calling hours are Thursday, March 11, 2021, from 2-4 & 6-8 pm at the LARSON-TIMKO Funeral Home, 20 Central Avenue, Fredonia. Funeral services will be held at the Fredonia First United Methodist Church, 25 Church Street, Fredonia, Friday, March 12, 2021 at 11 am. COVID-19 protocols will be in effect at the funeral home & Church. Please wear a mask and maintain proper social distancing. (For more information on attending the funeral service please refer to the Church web site, ffumc@fredoniafirst.org.) The funeral service will be streamed live on the Fredonia First United Methodist Facebook page. Interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Arrangements by David J. Dengler. On-line condolences may be made at larsontimkofuneralhome.com.