Marthalie A. "Martie" Furber Obituary (1940 - 2023)

Augusta, Maine - Marthalie Alice Peddle Furber, 83, beloved wife, mother, mentor, and friend, passed away unexpectedly on December 10, 2023, surrounded by her family. Martie was born November 27, 1940, in Augusta, Maine, daughter of Maxine Denno Peddle and Thomas Peddle, sister to Charles (Chuck), Douglass, Shelton, and Duncan Peddle, and half-sister to Mary and Thomas Peddle. She grew up in Augusta, Maine, graduating from Cony High School, Boston University (BFA), and Western Maryland College (MED). Throughout her career, Martie created innovative educational programs and taught teachers how to use the power of art to inspire learning. Dedicated to integrating the arts into education to empower innovation and creativity, she worked with The Kennedy Center, GRAMMY Foundation, OPERA America, Smithsonian Institution, Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe Opera, Butler University, Young Audiences/Arts for Learning Inc., and countless higher education institutions and school districts throughout the United States. While living in Delaware, Martie was a visual artist, co-owner of Amerind Artisans, the first all-woman owned business in the state, and an enthusiastic volunteer at Winterthur Museum. After moving to Potomac, Maryland, Martie worked with Project ARTS to secure support for the arts integration model program, leading a team of artists in mentoring teachers and providing professional development workshops. During her time at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Martie managed the Center’s first summer institute for teachers and designed teacher education materials. As Education Director of OPERA America, Martie launched the first K-12 educational initiatives and a compendium of Opera Education programs including Working Ideas, a Congressional award winning 504 program, Evidence of Learning, and the innovative textbook series Music! Words! Opera! Martie later moved to Nashville, Tennessee to serve first as a consultant, and later as the Acting Executive Director of the Leonard Bernstein Center for Learning. She led the team that developed the Center’s Learning is a Work of Art before moving to Santa Monica, California to lead the transition of the work to the GRAMMY Foundation and establish the GRAMMY Foundation’s Education Advisory Committee. Returning to her beloved New Mexico, Martie directed the New Mexico Multi-Cultural Foundation, established a multimedia literacy program for Sandoval County, led the UNM-Los Alamos design team to launch the 21st Century Classroom teacher training program, and volunteered at the Wheelright Museum in Santa Fe. Martie was proud of her work with Allan Holzmann’s 716 Productions, where she co-produced two documentary films in conjunction with the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office: Beyond the Mesas and Beautiful Resistance. She was continuing her work with Allan on a documentary film to honor her brother, Chuck Peddle’s legacy in creating the 6502-microprocessor chip, “the chip that changed the world.” After her return to Maine, Martie delighted in working with her family and friends at the boutique clothing store Bohemian Rose in Bath. She loved inspiring women to find their inner power and confidence through fashion. Her dedication to the community inspired her to serve in elected and appointed positions including the Kingsbury School Board and Planning Board, leading the creation of the comprehensive plan and ordinances for the town. Martie loved the Southwest, especially hiking in the deserts and mountains with her treasured friends in New Mexico and Arizona. In Maine she was passionate about walking, snowshoeing, and photographing the waves at Maine beaches, as well as exploring bakeries, chocolate, and ice cream shops any place she visited. Martie is survived by her two daughters, Melanie Grace Furber and Tamara Furber Wederbrand, and her grandson, Stephen Robert Furber Bachinski. She was predeceased by her husband, Conan P. Furber. Mom was larger than life and we miss her beyond words. We will remember her every day as a stylish, spunky, positive, giving, thoughtful, amazing, inspirational woman who lived life to the fullest every day. Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home, One Church St., Augusta, ME At her request, there will be no memorial service. Memories, condolences, and photos may be shared with the family at www.khrfuneralhomes.com