Scarborough, ME — Martha “Marti” Jane Sautter, 56, of South Portland, Maine, daughter of Richard Sautter of Westbrook, Maine and the late Carolyn, (Striegel) Sautter, passed away on November 11, 2014 at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, Maine, her daughter, Meaghan Caroline Doyle and her sister, Karen L. Keefe, at her side.
She was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on July 7, 1958 and moved to her parent’s hometown of Greenfield, Massachusetts in 1965. Marti attended Greenfield schools and graduated from Greenfield High School in 1976. She also attended Greenfield Community College.
Marti’s journey took her from waitressing on Cape Cod to working in the oil business in Houston, Texas. She returned to her beloved New England in the late 1980’s eventually settling in the Portland area. A twenty plus year resident of Maine, Marti was an Inside Sales Supervisor at IDEXX Laboratories for the past 18 years.
Known for her brilliant and welcoming smile, Marti lit up any room she entered. A truly beautiful person, both inside and out, she touched many lives with her outgoing and caring personality, sense of humor and zest for life. She had a plethora of friends and acquaintances that she guided, supported and embraced through life’s trials and tribulations.
A lover of the sea and the sun Marti could be found many a summer weekend at Portland’s beaches, often accompanied by her daughter, Meaghan. For the past several years Marti and her family enjoyed a “beach house” vacation on Drakes Island, Maine, a favorite childhood vacation spot. In the mornings, sitting on the front porch, sipping coffee and watching the beach buggies roll by; Marti would dash down to the beach with her own buggy, securing the family’s spot for the day. The evenings were spent on that same spot on the porch, winding down from the day, enjoying conversation and laughter with her family during their traditional “happy hour”.
Marti cared deeply for her family, both immediate and extended. They will sorely miss her laughter, caring and stellar organizational abilities for family events. For the past 16 years, the love of her life was her 16 year old daughter, Meaghan Caroline Doyle. Her smile, love and enthusiasm for Meaghan’s accomplishments, whether it was her first step or scoring a basket for the Girl’s South Portland High School Basketball team, were infectious and palpable. Marti will always be an angel sitting on Meaghan’s shoulder, continuing her love and guidance through life.
She was predeceased by her mother, Carolyn (Striegel) Sautter on October 13, 2014. She leaves her daughter, Meaghan Doyle of South Portland, Maine; father, Richard Sautter of Westbrook, Maine; sister, Deborah Chown of Greenfield, Massachusetts; brother, Mark and his wife Jody of Magnolia, Texas; and sister Karen Keefe and her husband Alan of South Portland, Maine. She was a loving aunt to Kate Skorb and her husband Johnathan of Rochdale, MA ; Alex Chown of Somerville, MA; Samantha Sautter of Magnolia, Texas and Patrick and Emily Keefe of South Portland, Maine. She also leaves her dear extended family of Al and June Keefe of South Portland, Maine and Jeff Keefe of Portland, Maine. She will be greatly missed by her canine companion, Muffin.
To celebrate her life her family asks that you wear purple, have a glass of wine or a single malt scotch, or eat a strawberry shortcake. A celebration of Marti’s life will be on November 22, 2014 from 3-5 pm at the McKernan Center at Southern Maine Community College, South Portland, Maine. Contributions to a fund for Meaghan can be directed to Karen L. Keefe #23101 c/o Evergreen Credit Union 799 Broadway South Portland, Maine 04106. Please visit www.advantageportland.com to sign Martha’s guestbook and to leave condolences for the family.