Donna Levin passed away on March 23, 2024, at the age of 92, in Amherst, Massachusetts, following a brief illness. She was recently predeceased by her adored husband of nearly 70 years, Maury Levin. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Diane Levin and Stephen Hicks, and John Levin and Sarah Osgood; her grandson, Adamo Lanza; her step-granddaughter, Emmalyn Hicks and her fiancée Rachel Stein; and beloved nephews and nieces.

 

Donna was raised alongside her sister, Nancy, in Revere, Massachusetts by her mother Marion, her grandmother Phoebe, and her uncle Murray. She met the love of her life, Maury, when she was attending the first grade at the Garfield School in Revere. She graduated from Revere High School in 1949 and subsequently attended Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School to prepare to enter the workforce. In 1953, she married Maury soon after he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Donna was at Maury’s side throughout his military service, living together in Monterey, California, and in Frankfurt and Berlin, Germany. She supported Maury and herself during the time of his military service, and then later as he pursued his Ph.D. on his path to what would be a distinguished academic career, by working as a legal secretary for several law firms. Following the birth of her daughter, Diane, and then her son, John, she devoted herself to raising her children full-time—her family was her top priority and her greatest source of pride.

 

The home that Donna created was always a central gathering place for friends and family, a place where all were welcomed, and strangers quickly became lifelong friends. She was always there to help anyone in need—from new neighbors adjusting to a recent move, to recent immigrants requiring food and clothing, to a friend in difficulties. Donna welcomed many into her home and her heart, including her son-in-law Stephen and her step-granddaughter Emmalyn, along with Emmalyn’s fiancée, Rachel. Among her greatest joys was her grandson, Adamo, with whom she and Maury shared a close bond. She was thrilled when Adamo attended college at the University of Massachusetts and was able to regularly spend quality time with his grandparents. That bond deepened over the years, and Donna treasured her time with her grandson.

 

She and Maury raised their children in Amherst. Together she and Maury enjoyed sailing and kayaking, as well as frequent cookouts and celebrations with family and friends. She loved traveling to the New England coastline and visiting the Clark Art Institute, and she was fond of the paintings of Joseph Turner and the music of the Beatles.  She was also an avid gardener who was able to coax lady’s slippers to grow in abundance in the backyard of her Amherst home. A steady stream of friends often stopped by, knowing that Donna would be there to welcome them with a warm hug and a hot meal. The environment she cultivated alongside Maury was marked by lively discussion, poetry and song, and countless meals lovingly prepared. The friendships she and Maury made over the years were lifelong and enduring. Beloved by her family, friends, and neighbors, Donna will be dearly missed. Services will be private.

 

The Levin family expresses its gratitude to the staff and volunteers of Hospice of the Fisher Home, Amherst, Massachusetts, whose compassionate care and kindness sustained Donna and those who loved her during her final days. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Fisher Home in Donna’s memory.

 

AMHERST, MA: Denison Hartman Jones, 86, of Fort Myers Fl, and Amherst, MA passed away on March 9, 2024, after a brief  battle with pancreatic cancer.  Better known as DH or Denny, he was the son of the late Walter Cowls Jones and Sarah Hartman Jones.  Denny is predeceased by his beloved wife Barbara Knowlton Jones and his younger brother Paul.

Denny was born and raised on his family’s North Amherst farm. He spent many years working on the farm with his grandmother, Sarah Cowls Jones. This is where he learned dairy farming and livestock trading.  This proved to be the foundation of his sales and negotiation skills. He attended Williston Academy, graduated from Amherst High School, and attended Blinn College in Texas.  When he returned home in 1958, he purchased his first house in Amherst at the age of 21, thus founding D.H. Jones Real Estate Agency.  Years later the Rental Division became a separate entity called Jones Properties.

In 1960 Denny married the love of his life Barbara Knowlton. Denny and Barbara’s real estate business began as a two-person operation initially located in their home at 120 Amity Street and later moved to Triangle Street. Denny and his agents rented and sold homes to returning veterans, college professors, farmers, and tradespeople as well as the expanding student population.  During this time, Denny built and developed numerous apartments and stores, that remain central fixtures in Amherst and the surrounding areas. In the late 1960’s Denny and Barbara partnered with Gordon and Beverly Neylon to form the Jones-Neylon Insurance Agency.

During this time, he spent 5 years in the US Army Reserves.

Denny’s friendly “What’s new?” invited news, stories, and conversation everywhere he went. He truly loved Amherst and being involved in the community and many local organizations.  He was a volunteer Firefighter and a director of The Three County Fair and Shawmut Bank.  He was also a 50+ year Mason, Shriner, Jester, a member and past president of the Amherst Rotary Club, as well as The Hampshire County Board of Realtors, MLS, Chiefs of Police Association, and a member of the Amherst Golf Club.

In 1978, Denny and Barbara discovered Sanibel Island, FL where they frequently vacationed and eventually retired.  This proved to be a wonderful opportunity to make new friends, improve his golf game and discover his love of boating.  Together they joined the Captiva Island Yacht Club where he later became the Commodore.  Sanibel Island is where Denny and Barbara created so many wonderful memories with their children and grandchildren.

Denny leaves his children, son Gerald L. Jones, his wife Karen, their children Parker, Caroline, Luke and Becca; daughter Wendy Jones Boisseau, her husband Greg, and their children Zoe, Hope, Chelsea, and Morgan; and son Andrew C. Jones, his wife Sheilah, and their children Griffin and Maddox.  In addition, Denny leaves his sister Gertrude Wegel Como, her husband Jim, and her children Adam, Gabe, and Don; his sister-in-law Ruth, and her children Cinda and Evan.  Denny also leaves behind his companion, Patricia Lilley, and their puppy Valentine.

A memorial celebration will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2024 from 3:00 – 6:00 pm at the Marriott Courtyard in Hadley.  A private burial will be at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either Hospice of The Fisher Home, 1165 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002,  https://www.FisherHome.org.  Or The Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, 516 Carew St, Springfield, MA 01104, https://www.ShrinersChildrens.org.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

Peter Albert Ward (PAW) died peacefully at The Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst, MA Sunday March 3, 2024 following a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease.

He was born on December 28, 1944, in Quincy, MA, to his late parents Reid and Ginny Ward, and was predeceased by his brother David Ward.

Peter came to Amherst in 1962 to attend the University of Massachusetts where he found a home for his many talents and interests.  He was an announcer and performer for The Joe O Show on WMUA, the University radio station.  A local newspaper gave him the following credit for one performance: “Multi-talented Pete Ward sang excellently serious and satiristic folk songs while accompanying himself on a guitar and harmonica.  Pete is a “pro” all the way.”   He hosted radio programs as well, including ACTION ’67 covering University and State current affairs and events.   

As the Manager of the University Chorale and a Board Member, he assisted the group in their statewide tour in 1966 and was the announcer for the University of Massachusetts Symphony Band and the Marching Band conducted by his longtime friend John Jenkins. 

Peter served on University Senate committees and wrote many articles for the Collegian during the turbulent late 60’s.

Following graduation from UMass he taught elementary school at the New Salem Center School, North Parish School and finally at the Federal Street School in Greenfield, a career of 36 years.  Peter inspired generations of students in the love of reading and science in addition to teaching the regular curriculum.

 

He was also a favorite emcee at many retirement celebrations for colleagues.  His wit and large personality were a special addition to many gatherings over the years.

 

The LAOS (Laymen’s Academy of Oecumenical Studies) Bookstore opened in 1972 and was a second home for Peter where he faithfully volunteered on Saturdays.   He was also part of a local book group and for many years an active member of Grace Episcopal Church in Amherst where he hosted many a coffee hour.

 

Following his retirement, he volunteered at the Federal Street School and donated significant funds for technology.                

Peter enjoyed the daily challenge of the NYT crossword puzzle, and read widely in history, astronomy, physics and cosmology.    He liked exploring the back roads of Hampshire and Franklin counties, especially during the colors of Autumn and the lights of Christmas time.  Although in many ways a very private person, he valued time spent with friends, especially over pizza, beer, and computer games on his Commodore64 and listening to music, Bob Dylan was a favorite.

 

Peter wished to remain in Amherst as long as he could and this was made possible with the loving care of Liz, Zak and Nigel his faithful caregivers at home, who were so much more than that, his good friend of many years Stephen and his cousin Barbara and at the very end by the compassionate care of the staff at the Fisher Home. 

 

Peter is survived by many good friends and cousins.   He is greatly missed.  

 

Contributions in memory of Peter may be made to the Greenfield Education Foundation, PO Box 722, Greenfield, MA 01302.

A Celebration of Life will be held to honor and remember Peter in Amherst at a date to be determined.

So many who knew and loved her have admiringly described Lorna Mintz Peterson as a force of nature. On Saturday, March 16, at 84 years, Nature reclaimed her own. The beloved daughter of Sol and Sophie (Luloff) Mintz, Lorna was a proud Brooklyn migrant and Dodger fan. She was forever grateful to her parents for supporting women’s education and she credited her teachers at Thomas Jefferson High for imagining beyond what was familiar. In her girlhood, she relished attending games at Ebbets Field and never forgot the time she and her friends arrived early and saw her heroes, Jackie Robinson, Don Newcombe, and Roy Campanella step out of the catcher’s Cadillac. Lorna said her early path in life had taken the B track, from Brooklyn to undergraduate years as a history major at Buffalo, to graduate studies in Slavic at Berkeley, and language study in Belgrade. The trajectory of her life took a sudden arc toward New England when she transferred to Yale to write her dissertation.

She met her future husband, Dale, in a course on Balkan history. They fell in love and played foot tag under the table during seminar classes. When she decided to marry Dale, she took her life and her family beyond the familiar. Fortunately, her Orthodox Jewish and his Unitarian parents were loving and large-hearted people and the young couple was embraced in welcoming arms. They married in 1966 and, when in 1968, Dale accepted a post at Amherst College, she was told it was probably only for two years. A city girl, she found herself a faculty wife, pregnant, in a small town with a doctorate in Serbo-Croatian literature.

Only Lorna, with her abundant energy and boundless imagination, could have turned what might have been a dead end into a life opportunity. A natural networker, gifted organizer, and social activist, Lorna made a distinguished career as an academic coordinator. At Mount Holyoke, she put together a national conference of women historians; at UMass, she worked closely with several deans at the School of Education; while doing all this, she pursued her love of teaching by taking on adjunct courses in Russian and Women’s literature. Under the guidance of her mentor, Jefferson Murphy, Jr., she excelled at the art of collaboration. As Executive Director of Five Colleges, Inc. for 19 years, Lorna left a legacy of flourishing cross-campus interdisciplinary programs. Like Ben Franklin, Lorna always let other people take credit for initiatives she had undertaken. She made sure all five deans were in regular conversation and she organized productive summer retreats for all four Presidents and the Chancellor.

Lorna, beyond her professional career, was as successful as a parent, wife and community member. She did Little League and fostered backyard gigs for her two rambunctious musical sons, Zach and Seth. She patiently and lovingly helped Dale through the trauma of tenure and publication. She served many years in Town Meeting and was a steadfast champion of renters’ rights. Lorna’s passionate pursuit of justice and equity, her generosity as a volunteer led her to serve on many boards. Hampshire United Way, Cooley-Dickinson Hospital, UMass Fine Arts Center, Amherst ABC – all benefitted from fundraising campaigns she chaired. In retirement, her educational advocacy was unabated; she eagerly joined the Foundation Board of Greenfield Community College and served in various additional committees at the school until her death.

Lorna passed away peacefully under hospice care with her loving family at her bedside. She leaves bereft her adoring husband of 57 years, her sons, Zach and Seth and their wives, Allie Castino and Susan Lombardi-Verticelli. Her five grandchildren, Jesse, Calvin, Zora, Stella and Maddie, will miss her deeply. Lorna is survived by her beloved cousin, Lissy Friedman, and by her devoted brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Joan Mintz and their family.

A private family burial is planned. A public memorial service will be held in the Spring. Those who wish to make a donation in Lorna’s memory may contribute to the Abortion Rights Fund of Western Massachusetts (arfwm.org) or A Better Chance Amherst (amherstabetterchance.org)

 

 

Joanna Hayes, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away on Friday, March 15, 2024, at the age of 91. She was born and raised on her family’s farm in Shutesbury before moving to Brooklyn, New York. She returned to Shutesbury in 1970 to raise her family in the home where she was born and lived there until her passing.

Joanna will be greatly missed. She is survived by her daughter Maureen (Joe), daughter Kathy (Kevin), son John (Patty), son Kevin (Jeri), and son Dan (Mike); as well as her sister Louise, eleven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and extended family. She was predeceased by her loving husband Raymond, granddaughter Jessica, and eleven brothers and sisters.

 

Joanna was married to Raymond in 1953; they celebrated their 65th anniversary before his passing in 2018. Joanna recently enjoyed her birthday party on the farm, which was attended by four generations of family. The 100th anniversary of the family farm was in 2013; it was not only a home, but a gathering place for more than a century: anniversaries, weddings, reunions, pig roasts, holidays, and countless celebrations. Joanna was a wonderful host and always welcomed everyone into her home. She devoted her life to her family, raising her kids, caring for her grandchildren, and spending time with her great-grandchildren. Joanna enjoyed attending her children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s games, competitions, and performances, playing Pitch at family gatherings, going to bingo, and working on puzzles. She was an avid farmer and could always be found working in her garden. Recently she was thrilled to read her grandson Stephen’s first novel. Her family and friends loved her cooking, especially her pierogies. There was no end to her love and support. Her warmth and hospitality touched the lives of all of those around her.

 

We would like to thank Fire Chief Lenny Czerwonka, Shutesbury Police and Fire Departments, and Dr. Grewal for their care and compassion.

 

Calling hours will be held at the Douglass Funeral Home Thursday, March 21, 4:00 -7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Brigid’s Church in Amherst on Friday, March 22, 10:00 a.m. with a burial to follow in West Cemetery, Shutesbury.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the “Jessica Hayes Memorial Scholarship Endowed Fund” and mailed to: UMass Amherst Foundation, Records and Gifts Processing, 134 Hicks Way, Amherst, Ma 01003-9270, or online at https://www.uma-foundation.org/ways-to-give. For condolences please visit: www.douglassfuneral.com.

AMHERST, MA: Jill Avrunin died on March 2 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital from complications of pancreatic cancer that was diagnosed in early January.  Her husband, George, and daughter, Eleanor, were with her.

Jill was born in 1946 in Yonkers, NY, to Eileen (Ullman) Spitz and Alvin Spitz, and grew up in New Rochelle.  She graduated from NYU and moved west for a few years, working several jobs including as a keno writer in a casino in Reno.  She came to Amherst in the early 1970s and got a second bachelor’s degree and a master’s in biostatistics from the University of Massachusetts.

She worked for many years as a researcher in the School of Public Health at UMass and then worked on quality of care research for five years at Baystate Medical Center before retiring in 2013. Outside of work, Jill was a talented and generous cook, a voracious reader, and an avid sports fan.

Her family is very grateful for the wonderful care Jill received over the last two months at Cooley Dickinson, especially in the Emergency Department. 

In lieu of flowers or other gifts, please send contributions in her memory to the campaign to expand the Cooley Dickinson Emergency Department (https://www.cooleydickinson.org/giving/campaigns-and-initiatives/).

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

 

Eric Day, devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and friend passed away on March 1, 2024 following a brief decline due to complications from Alzheimer’s.

 

He was born on January 12, 1938 in Darlington, England. Like many working-class children, Eric left school at the age of fifteen, after which he served an apprenticeship as a roll turner at a local steel mill. A post WWII program created to relieve the shortage of engineers gave Eric the opportunity to pursue training as an engineer while also working at the mill. After years of balancing both work and his studies, he graduated from Darlington Technical College at the top of his class with a degree in mechanical engineering. He worked as a development engineer for Cummins Engine Company, United Technologies, and Jacobs Vehicle Systems where he focused on fuel pump and brake design. His creative design work led to a number of patents. He spent forty-two years as an engineer, twenty-eight of those at Cummins.

 

Eric is survived by his wife Claire, son Andrew Day, daughter Julie Day and son-in-law Tom Davidson, grandchildren Holden Davidson and Serafina Day, his sister Eveline Wilson, brother-in-law Bob Wilson and nephews Stephen and Jonathan Wilson.

 

In 1974, Eric, his wife, Claire, and their children moved to the United States. They lived in Columbus, Indiana until 1983 when they moved to Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Eric and Claire moved to Easthampton, Massachusetts ten years ago.

 

Eric loved sailing, skiing, hiking, duplicate bridge, opera, classical music, his family, and his dogs. He and his wife loved to travel. They were both founding members of the Yorkshire-based Swaledale Outdoor Club. Eric was also someone who enjoyed his own company. He spent many hours solo skiing or sailing Long Island Sound, working on his boats, and watching the clouds drift over Mt. Tom. Family stories of his adventures hitchhiking as a teenager through Europe, his time in the Royal Air Force during his two years of military service, and all his other adventures emphasized his independent spirit, his perseverance, and his fearlessness.

 

He was preceded in death by his father Sam Day and mother Evelyn Day (Gregson).

 

The family would like to thank the many people who helped him in his long journey with Alzheimer’s: Cathie, Alan, Barbara, Joanna, Ingar, Michael, Iedes, Katerina, plus the staff of Linda Manor and Hospice of the Fisher Home. The family would also like to thank all those who supported the various family members through this time.

 

There will be a memorial service at Unitarian Universalist Society of Greater Springfield March 23^rd at 11am.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully asks that contributions be made to Hospice of the Fisher Home (fisherhome.org).

 

Eric Day, devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and friend passed away on March 1, 2024 following a brief decline due to complications from Alzheimer’s.

He was born on January 12, 1938 in Darlington, England. Like many working-class children, Eric left school at the age of fifteen, after which he served an apprenticeship as a roll turner at a local steel mill. A post WWII program created to relieve the shortage of engineers gave Eric the opportunity to pursue training as an engineer while also working at the mill. After years of balancing both work and his studies, he graduated from Darlington Technical College at the top of his class with a degree in mechanical engineering. He worked as a development engineer for Cummins Engine Company, United Technologies, and Jacobs Vehicle Systems where he focused on fuel pump and brake design. His creative design work led to a number of patents. He spent forty-two years as an engineer, twenty-eight of those at Cummins.

Eric is survived by his wife Claire, son Andrew Day, daughter Julie Day and son-in-law Tom Davidson, grandchildren Holden Davidson and Serafina Day, his sister Eveline Wilson, brother-in-law Bob Wilson and nephews Stephen and Jonathan Wilson.

In 1974, Eric, his wife, Claire, and their children moved to the United States. They lived in Columbus, Indiana until 1983 when they moved to Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Eric and Claire moved to Easthampton, Massachusetts ten years ago.

Eric loved sailing, skiing, hiking, duplicate bridge, opera, classical music, his family, and his dogs. He and his wife loved to travel. They were both founding members of the Yorkshire-based Swaledale Outdoor Club. Eric was also someone who enjoyed his own company. He spent many hours solo skiing or sailing Long Island Sound, working on his boats, and watching the clouds drift over Mt. Tom. Family stories of his adventures hitchhiking as a teenager through Europe, his time in the Royal Air Force during his two years of military service, and all his other adventures emphasized his independent spirit, his perseverance, and his fearlessness.

He was preceded in death by his father Sam Day and mother Evelyn Day (Gregson).

The family would like to thank the many people who helped him in his long journey with Alzheimer’s: Cathie, Alan, Barbara, Joanna, Ingar, Michael, Iedes, Katerina, plus the staff of Linda Manor and Hospice of the Fisher Home. The family would also like to thank all those who supported the various family members through this time.

There will be a memorial service at Unitarian Universalist Society of Greater Springfield March 23^rd at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully asks that contributions be made to Hospice of the Fisher Home (fisherhome.org).

AMHERST, MA: Maria “Helen” Salvador passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on February 28, after a short illness.  

Maria Helena Molina Celes was born Bogota, Colombia in 1930, immigrated to New York City at age 16, and became a naturalized US citizen on September 6, 1966.  She worked tirelessly to improve herself, completing training to become a hairdresser and learning the English language.  She loved living in NYC.    

Helen married John Salvador in 1964, and they lived in Queens for a few years until they moved out to Port Jefferson Station on Long Island.  When raising their two children, she advocated to ensure they had every opportunity to succeed and instilled the importance of education.  She insisted on music lessons, reading and doing well in school.  The beach was a special place to her, taking her kids to swim lessons every day in the summers and on weekend family trips.  She was a role model, even attending English classes at a local college and starting tennis lessons in her 50’s.  

One of Helen’s gifts was being a great friend.  She went to dinners and shows in NYC with other young women from Colombia, she and John hosted frequent weekend barbecues for many years, and she had several women that she spoke with on the phone almost every day for decades.  She was always ready to help a friend – to watch their child, drive them to an appointment, or navigate a government process.  Her friend groups included the crowd of Colombian families, Portuguese families, and neighbors.  She cherished traditional gatherings like the Leon’s Christmas party and picnics at the state park.  

Helen was a beautiful person inside and out.  She was a strong woman who stood up for what she believed in for herself, her family, her friends, and strangers. She made other people feel important and demonstrated unconditional love. She taught others so much about life, by the way she lived and her funny and important stories.  She laughed easily and made us laugh often.  Her faith was important to her, she was a practicing Catholic for her entire life.  

Helen’s pride and joy was her family.  She told everyone about the accomplishments of her family, especially her grandchildren.  She loved times when everyone could be together on a cruise, in San Diego and at graduation celebrations. 

Helen and John moved to Texas in 2011 to be near their daughter Sue’s family.  There they enjoyed the grandkids’ school and church activities.   They moved to Amherst three years ago, spending every minute she could with her son Doug’s family.  She was happy to get back to New York to see old friends, go to a Broadway show and shop in Manhattan.  She attended her grandchildren’s sports and school activities.  She lived her life independently with John and was vibrant up until the short illness in her final days.   

Helen is survived by her husband John; daughter Sue and her husband Tom, grandchildren Jimmy (wife Sophia) and Valerie; her son Doug and his wife Erin, grandchildren Ingrid and Cole.  

A funeral mass will be held on Monday, March 4 at 10am at St. Brigid’s Catholic Church, 122 N. Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA.

In lieu of flowers and to honor Helen’s advocacy of women and those in need, a donation may be made in her name to the Center for the Women of New York, https://cwny.org,  or Amherst Survival Center, https://amherstsurvival.org/.  

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

AMHERST, MA. Martha Aldrich Mitchell passed at the age of 93 after a brief illness on February 11, 2024.

 Martha grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts where she graduated from Brookline High School in 1948. She attended Emerson College in Boston, majoring in theater and was active with the Boston Tributary Theatre, playing lead roles in their productions in the late 1940s. In 1951, Martha left college to begin a family and raise her five children, first living in Arlington and then Acton. She also spent many summers in Maine. 

Martha was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts to Merritt James Aldrich and Doris Cuzner, the eldest of three girls.  She is survived by her sons Andrew J. Scott, Amherst, MA, David Laird Scott, Los Angeles, CA, daughters Elizabeth C. Wells (Michael), Grand Haven, MI, and Deborah L. Scott (David Rogers), Brooklyn, NY, her sister Deborah A. Dufton (Richard), Hampden, ME, her half-brother Merritt James Aldrich,  Jr., Los Alamos, NM, granddaughters Courtney A. Rogers (Chris Tomei), Brooklyn, NY, and Briana Rogers (Frank Visciano), Amsterdam, Netherlands, three great grandchildren Lucy, Jude and Olivia, as well as numerous beloved nephews and nieces. Martha was preceded in death by her youngest daughter, Alison Mitchell and her youngest sister, Suzanne Fletcher.

 Her love of plays and theater led her to being active in Community Theater at the Arlington Friends of the Drama and the Dettor’s Theater in Acton, Massachusetts. She volunteered for high school productions in Acton, designing and sewing costumes, and supporting local students.  In 1980, she moved to Amherst, Massachusetts to study playwriting at the University of Massachusetts where she received her BA degree. Later, she completed a Master of Arts degree with an emphasis in playwriting at Smith College.

 She worked for the Western Massachusetts Food Bank and was active in Grace Episcopal Church in Amherst.  Martha loved gardening and grew beautiful English style gardens like those she saw on her many trips to England visiting the birthplace of her mother, Doris Cuzner Aldrich, and visiting her English cousins. Martha also loved history, reading, writing, and her cats Ivan, Gabriel and Blaise. 

 Her greatest joy in life was her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  

A Memorial Service will be held on June 8, 2024, 11:00am, at the Grace Episcopal Church, 14 Boltwood Ave. Amherst, Ma. 01002

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com