Martha L. Dinerstein

Martha (Marti) Lay Dinerstein, 74, died peacefully at home following a long fight against Alzheimers Disease. She was the daughter of Edward and Patricia Lay of Sandusky, Ohio, the town which Marti proudly said had shaped her values and outlook on life. Marti is survived by loving husband of 50 years, Robert Dinerstein and by two sisters, Ellen Leigh and Nancy Klein. A third sister, Anne, is previously deceased. After graduating from Ohio State University, Marti brought her intellect, charm, infectious laugh and energy to New York and to public service, where she achieved the first of many successes. Marti served as a research assistant to Mayor John Lindsay’s speechwriter, executive assistant to Betty Furness at the NYS Consumer Protection Board and as a program vice-president of the New York Junior League. She then went to Columbia University Business School for her MBA and began a distinguished career in marketing and corporate communications in the banking industry. Marti became the first woman senior vice president in the 200 year history of Bank of New York and then joined US Trust Company where she became a senior managing director. Following retirement from US Trust, Marti began to write and speak nationally on many of the difficult issues relating to the country’s immigration policy. During their 50 years together, Marti and Bob had homes in Manhattan, Key Biscayne, FL and Bedford, NY, where Marti was on the board of the Westchester Land Trust. She will be missed by all who knew her. A funeral service and memorial gathering of friends and family will be held at St. Matthew’s Episcopal church, 382 Cantitoe Street (Rt. 22), Bedford, NY at 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 18, 2018. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Marti’s memory to the Alzheimers Association, Connecticut Chapter, 200 Executive Boulevard, Suite 4B, Southington, CT 06489.