Marty Hartford,  55, passed away July 21, at Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan. She was the book preservationist at Hale Library. Here are some thoughts from her family:
Marty Hartford loved to see things done well.

She quietly, passionately, reverently took note whenever she came across a beautifully woven scarf, a handwritten recipe, a perfectly bound book or the tiniest of baby boots knitted with great care.

She delighted in detail.

She noticed the fine points in people, too, appreciating those who listened well, who laughed hard, who were life-long learners and who loved beyond measure.

It's not at all surprising that this is what surrounded her. She nurtured it.

Born in Wichita on August 8, 1954, Marty was the oldest of four children. She fell in love with Jim Hartford when they met while attending Wichita State University after they graduated from West High School in 1972. They married and moved to Manhattan, where their two sons, Ike and Noah were born.

Together, they created a beautiful home on Lake Elbo, referred to by everyone who knows it as Hartford Haven.

Marty crafted many things during her life and gave them away with great satisfaction. Those closest to her have a cherished gallery of her gifts, from sweaters, scarves and socks to handmade boxes, books, dolls and treasured family recipes.

A lover of words, Marty created a lab for preserving books at Hale. She was active in local weaver's guilds and took great pleasure in teaching her many friends how to knit.

She is survived by her loving husband, Jim, her son, Ike Hartford, and her mother, Jean Dickensen, all of Manhattan; her son, daughter-in-law and grandson, Noah Hartford, Alyssa Hartford and Henry James Hartford of Moscow, Idaho; two sisters, Tess Lane, of Kaneohe, Hawaii and Sara Quinn, of St. Petersburg, Fla. and her brother, Tim Dickenson.

A memorial has been established with Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan. A memorial service will be held at a later date.