Savannah - Martha Surber Aliffi, 86, died July 16, 2011 at Ogeechee Hospice. She was born in Clifton Forge, VA, daughter of Thomas Peyton and Eliot Thankful Morrisey Surber. She graduated from Clifton Forge High School and Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA with a B.A./B.S. degrees in English and Philosophy. She furthered her education in relevant subjects at Emory University, Oglethorpe University, University of Georgia and Armstrong State College. She served 25 years as a teacher with the Chatham County Board of Education where she was awarded Star Teacher in 1985 and the RSVP Significant Service Award in 1991. She volunteered with Hospice Savannah as librarian and the Better Business Bureau. She was a communicant of Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church. She was an avid motorcycle rider, enjoyed the ballet, music and writing. Her children, James Michael O'Conner, Diana Lynn O'Conner Munch and Charles Andrew O'Conner, preceded her in death.

Surviving are her children, Paul D. O'Conner, III and his wife, Debbie of Charlotte, NC; Thomas A. O'Conner, Cecilia O. Hardin and her husband, Jim of Nevils, GA; Robert A. O'Conner and his wife, Laura of Ashville, NC; Patricia Smith and her husband Byron of Tallassee, AL; niece, Eliot Joanna Angell of Walterboro, SC; 15 grandchildren and many great grandchildren.

Funeral: 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 19, 2011 in the Hodgson Chapel of Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors. The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. until service time.

Burial: Hillcrest Abbey Memorial Park.

Remembrances: Hospice Savannah, Inc., P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA 31416.

Please sign our online guestbook at www.foxandweeks.com

Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel