Marta Sprigg

08/26/1952 – 04/04/2024

Beloved mother, wife, sister-in-law, auntie, loyal to the core friend and all-around badass Carp legend left this world just as anyone who knew her would expect: on her own terms. 

She was born in East Liverpool, Ohio to Robert Sr. and Martha Campbell; the family made their way to California via Orange County when she was six. They later moved to Santa Monica, where she graduated from Samohi in 1970. Soon after she met the love of her life, Jim Sprigg, while working at McDonnell Douglas Aerospace. In 1973 they moved to Carpinteria; the following year, they went down to a judge’s house and got hitched.

Marta and Jim were the perfect pair and spent 28 beautiful years together. They welcomed two daughters, Jennifer and Jessica. They played softball and golf, and spent many, many days at the beach. 

When Jim passed suddenly in 2003, she was a pillar of strength despite her broken heart. In the year following his passing she valiantly cared for her ailing mother and comforted her daughters.

Both girls inherited her feisty demeanor, twisted sense of humor, long legs and deep love of music. Some of their fondest memories are of the many concerts they attended together such as Tom Petty, Steely Dan, Buffalo Springfield, Jackson Browne, Stevie Nicks, Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan, Heart and many, many more.

Over the years she worked at such local institutions as Ralph’s Market, Jostens and Pacific Beverage Company, where she made many lifelong friends and lasting connections. After retiring from PBC in 2017 every day became Saturday, and she spent her days doing whatever the hell she wanted – which usually included many adventures with her best friend Peggy Clarke.

While her absence will be a huge hole in our lives and the world will never be the same, we take comfort in the belief that she has been reunited with her one true love. Rest easy, Mommy. You won’t ever have to go bra shopping again or worry about the nightmare possibility of another Trump presidency. We will aspire to live life with the same strength, integrity, wit and charm that you did.

The girls would like to thank everyone who has supported and loved them through this brutal experience. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to HELP of Carpinteria, or at least just don’t vote Republican this November; she may haunt you for it.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Please contact Jenny or Jessie for information at jennysprigg@yahoo.com.