Martha Ann (Blethen) Saplak

Martha Ann Saplak, of Stuarts Draft, passed away peacefully on August 8, 2025, at the age of 80.
Martha was born on December 25, 1944, in Oak Hill, West Virginia, to her parents Daniel “Buck” Fugate and Mary Katherine Blethen Fugate.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Andrew Saplak, her parents, and her sisters Linda Gay, Brenda Gail, Debra Diane, Donna Kay, and Nettie Katherine Fugate. She was also preceded in death by her best friends Micky Schroeder, Julie Hedrick, Shelly Deroiser, Carolyn Haslacker, and Donna Yachecko.
Martha is survived by her daughters Lisa Marie Saplak and Mary Katherine “Kathy” Saplak; grandchildren Andrew Quigley and Katherine Rhoades (Jacob); her dear friends Sara Snyder, Pat Yowell, Cordiala Underwood, Francis Harris, Sue Maben, and Wanda Higgins; and many beloved “bonus kids” from her years of caring for neighborhood children and the students of Minnieland Day Care Center.
From a young age, Martha was known for her warm heart, quick humor, and love for helping others, especially her little sister Donna Kay. She was a champion for inclusion and disability advocacy, a passion she shared with generations of Saplak women.
In 1966, Martha married the love of her life, Paul, in Arlington, Virginia. Together, they shared 57 years of marriage filled with laughter, gardening, antiquing, and, most of all, raising their daughters. Martha and Paul’s love was encapsulated in their girls, Lisa and Kathy, who were the center of her world. The Saplak girls are at peace knowing that their parents are together again. 
In the 1970s and 80s, Martha was a second mother to the neighborhood gang, providing snacks, Band-Aids, rides in the brown paneled station wagon, and the reassurance of “shake it off, you’ll be alright.” Martha was a proud Lassie League Team Mom, Classroom Mom, Assistant Girl Scout Leader, and enthusiastic PTA participant at Minnieville Elementary School. She was also a proud member of the Dale City Arts and Crafts Club and the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). 
Martha was a longtime member of Good Shepherd Church of the Nazarene in Stuarts Draft, VA, where she served the Lord with enthusiasm and compassion. She prayed for anyone in need and remained steadfast in her faith. As she would say, “Jesus loves you and so do I."
Martha considered her greatest joy to be her role as a “Mia” to her grandchildren. She described Andrew as having “the most gentle soul and kindest spirit,” Katherine as “born to be my best friend and healed a part of my childhood,” and Jacob as family from the moment they met.
Martha loved Elvis, gospel music, and doing the twist. She was known affectionately as “Twinkle Toes” for her clown visits to nursing homes and as “The Hat Lady” for her unmatched collection of eclectic fascinators or ballcaps.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Brookdale Staunton Senior Living and Legacy Hospice for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in her name. If a donation is not possible, Martha’s family asks that you honor her by living as she did, calling a friend, taking a moment to dance, or stopping to laugh with the ones you love the most.
Please join the family of Martha Saplak on Wednesday, August 13 from 4:00-6:00 p.m., at Coffman Funeral Home for a family visitation. A celebration of her life will follow on Thursday, August 14, at 11:00 a.m. in the Coffman Funeral Home Chapel.
Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton is in charge of her arrangements.
Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.coffmanfuneralhome.net