Martha K. Diefenbach Of Bridgehampton Dies July 7

Martha Kahle Diefenbach

Martha Kahle Diefenbach of Bridgehampton died at Stony Brook University Medical Center on July 7 after a brief illness. She was 85.

Born on January 21, 1927, to Dorothy Pickhardt Kahle, she was raised in Manhattan and enjoyed spending her summers at the family residence on Shelter Island. She attended Barnard College, where she met her future husband, William Carl Ludwig Diefenbach, married, and then settled in Southampton, where she devoted her life to raising her family.

Known and beloved in the community for her sociability and quick smile, she touched everyone who knew her. Her strength, independence, and strong will was remarkable and she was a role model for all who knew her. Martha will always be remembered as an adventurist who loved her world travel “Expositions” with her family, survivors said.

An avid reader, she also enjoyed writing and poetry, at which she excelled. She was an accomplished photographer spending time with commercial endeavors but favoring artistic photographic projects.

Mrs. Diefenbach is survived by her children, Dr. William Paul Diefenbach and his wife Tracey of Pennsylvania, and Captain Andrew Lawrence Diefenbach (U.S. Navy, retired) and his wife Cherry) of California, and Dr. Pamela Nanette Diefenbach and her husband Donald Pensack of California; a daughter-in-law, Carol Jean Diefenbach of Pennsylvania; and a nephew, John Peter Meister of Shelter Island. She is also survived by eight grandchildren; Alexander, Katherine, Christopher, Brandon, Laura Jean, Morgan, Tyler and Spencer; and a great-grandchild, Astrid. She leaves behind her pug dog, Button.

Mrs. Diefenbach was preceded in death by her sister, Barbara Kahle Meister; her husband, Dr. William Diefenbach; her mother, Dorothy Kahle; and a son, Peter Carl Diefenbach.

A memorial service will be held in September.