Martha Margaret Dempster

Martha Margaret (Sky) Dempster (age 75) passed away at Jefferson Hospital on June 6, 2025.

Born January 7, 1950, in Globe, Arizona, to George and Lola Dempster, Martha was a child of the Southwest who loved to roam the desert at Coolidge Dam where her father was superintendent.

Growing up in Globe, she was an exceptional student, spiritual leader, and musician who played clarinet in a winning marching band, was an outstanding pianist, and played the organ for three churches.

After graduation from Texas Women’s University, she joined with the team of the Ecumenical Institute and Institute of Cultural Affairs to carry out a spiritual program of selfless service in the United States and abroad.

She was an Occupational Therapist for 45 years and a gifted hand therapist who served many patients in Port Townsend and on the Kitsap Peninsula.

As a passionate student of women’s spirituality and a member of Unity Center for Spiritual Growth, she led retreats highlighting the true legacy of Mary Magdalene. She was a member of Ananda Church of Self Realization and a devotee of Paramhansa Yogananda.

Sky was a talented artist who painted inspiring watercolors as a student of John Adams, painter of light.

Martha Sky was preceded in death by her big brothers, George and Tom Dempster. She is adored and missed by her loving family, including her wife, Shakti Dieste, her son Russell Gordon Dempster Cunningham, and her grandsons Grant and John Christian. Also by sons-in-law Daniel and Joseph Christian and daughters-in-law Susan Christian and Rebeka Jayne, and the family of Blanche Dempster, Evelyn, Eric and Emily Dawson, and many loving friends.

A Celebration of Life service will be held this summer, with date and time posted at UnityPT.org. Family and friends are invited to share memories and sign the online guestbook.