Martha Cross Carpenter

February 23, 1927 October

31, 2016

Martha ""Marty"" Cross Carpenter left us peacefully on Monday, October 31, at the age of 89. She

underwent a slow decline from dementia over the last few years, but ultimately it was time that

caught up with her after a long life devoted to her kids and family.

She spent countless hours as PTA president and member, soccer coach, Girl Scout leader and

organizer, swim team parent and volunteer, classroom parent, chauffeur and political wife. Most

of all she was everyone's cheerleader, gladly putting her needs and wants after everyone else.

Having grown up the second daughter in a progressive family including a school superintendent

father and housewife mother and niece of missionaries and physicians.

After attending Oberlin College and earning a physical education degree she taught PE and coached sports in three

different states before starting her own family. Her own passions included gardening and sports, especially JUCO

baseball and Broncos football and anything her kids played.

After she married Ed Carpenter in 1959, she devoted herself to raising her family and helping Ed achieve his

professional goals, which included moving to Grand Junction and Colorado to be closer to family and pursuing his

career. Later she supported his passions in politics, genealogy and cowboy music.

She is survived by a sister, Janet Nelson, and brother, Richard (Doris) Cross; daughters, Amy Sanford, Jan (Bill)

Bradford, Jean (Kevin) Butcher, and Susan Carpenter; sons, Dan (Justine) Carpenter and John (Carol) Carpenter; 12

grandchildren, and five greatgrandchildren.

Memorial services will take place on Friday, November 4 at 3:30 p.m. at the Redlands Community Center.

In lieu of flowers (and honoring Marty's lifelong discomfort with flowers) the family asks that donations be made in her

name to HopeWest Hospice, 3090B N. 12th St., Grand Junction 81506.