In Memory of Martha Wallace

Obituary

Martha Wallace, 71, of New Hartford, New York died on May 26, 2023 at St. Luke’s Hospital ending her long, quiet and dignified battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

She was born in Buffalo, NY on May 1, 1952 to Salvador J. Capecelatro, Jr. and Mary Louise Capecelatro. The oldest of ten children, Martha was raised in South Utica and graduated from Utica Catholic Academy ’69. She received her B.A. in English from Briarcliff College in 1973. She enjoyed summers in the central Adirondacks, especially wonderful memories of being a camper at Echo Camp on Raquette Lake. Martha wed Christopher Baird Wallace in Utica on June 8, 1974, a remarkably loving partnership of nearly 49 years. During that time, they called Burlington (VT), San Antonio, Denver and Pittsburgh home before returning to Utica in 1992. Martha was a generous woman of impeccable taste, deliberately understated style and grace, and an overwhelming amount of warmth and compassion. She was an avid reader and was especially interested in fashion, interior design, history and antiques. She served as an officer and/or board member of several local organizations including The Community at Sunset Wood and The Landmarks Society of Greater Utica. She was a member of the Fort Schuyler Club of Utica and Allegheny Country Club of Sewickley, Pennsylvania.

Martha is survived by her loving husband Chris; her cherished children Mary Clare (“Mackie”) and husband Daniel Rossi of Dallas, TX; Emily and husband Daniel Spinella of New Hartford; and William D. Wallace II and wife Nancy of Utica; and by grandsons Henry Hallett Rossi and Christopher Baird Wallace, II.

In addition, Martha is survived by eight siblings and their spouses: Sarah Settles of Thomasville, NC; Salvador J. Capecelatro, III of Utica; James Capecelatro of Denver, CO; Edith Dangler of Remsen; Elizabeth Byrne of Bronxville, NY; John Capecelatro of New Hartford; Mary Louise Delmarsh of Manlius, NY; and Matthew Capecelatro of Denver, CO. Also surviving are Martha’s aunt Barbara Stead of Jacksonville, FL and brothers-in-law R. Bruce Wallace, Jr. of Siena, Italy and Scott B. Wallace of Vernon, CT as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and by her sister, Laura.

Guests are invited to call on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Friedel, Williams; Edmunds Funeral Home, 13 Oxford Road in New Hartford. There will be a private prayer service for the family officiated by the Rev. Carol Jubenville.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Martha’s memory to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777.

Online messages may be left at: www.fwefh.com