Obituary of Martha S. Suker

Martha Spencer Suker, 87, a resident of the Masonic Care Community in Utica and formerly of New Hartford and Colonie, passed peacefully on Thursday, February 27 with her family by her side.

Martha was born in Lynchburg, VA, on September 18, 1937. She is the daughter of the late Theodore Nelson Spencer III and Martha Raiguel. Martha was raised in Muncie, IN, graduating from Muncie Central High School in 1955. Martha moved around the country after Indiana and lived in New Jersey, Illinois and California before settling in upstate New York. Martha worked in various office positions and companies until her retirement from Childs Hospital/Albany Medical Center in 2002. As a child, she enjoyed dancing and playing piano with her good friend, Patricia and her mentor, cousin Laura. As an adult, she found much joy in spending time with her family and close friends. She loved knitting and crocheting; as well as teaching these skills to her family and making treasured keepsakes.  She was an avid reader, sharing books with family. She spent time with the B Sharp singing choir and the Red Hat Society. In later years she could be found antiquing, hiking, traveling abroad, bird watching, fly fishing or teaching family members how to make fly fish lures. Always kind. Always loving.

Martha is survived by her son, Robert Michael Whitney (Barbara) in Whitesboro, NY, Gary Dean Whitney (Cheryl) in Niskayuna, NY; grandchildren JenRose Whitney (Edward), Melissa Whitney,  Nicole Whitney, Monica Zannitto (Mary) and Robert Whitney (Jenny Chen); great grandchildren Beaudyn Whitney, Roy Potts, MacKenzie Potts, Alexzander Turner, Evelyn Zannitto, Chelsea Whitney, sister-in-law Sarah (Sally) Spencer and nephews Theodore and Jeffrey Spencer. Martha was also predeceased by her brother Theodore Nelson Spencer IV and Cousin Laura Gilbert.

Martha’s family would like to thank the folks at the Masonic Care Community, Presbyterian Home, Sunset Woods and Masonic Acacia Village for their efforts to make Martha’s retirement enjoyable and comfortable through their kindness, care and enriching programs.

Funeral Notice:

Visitation for family and friends is Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 1PM-3PM at the Heintz Funeral Home at 408 Herkimer Road, Utica, NY, followed by a memorial service at 3PM at the conclusion of the visitation. Interment services for Martha in Pennsylvania will be at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Martha’s memory can be made to Masonic Medical Research Institute, 2150 Bleecker Street, Utica, NY 13501 or mmri.edu/donate or 315-735-2217.