HADLEY – Pennie H. Marcus passed away July 29, at age 61, from metastatic melanoma.   

Pennie was an educator in the full sense of the word.  She taught and advised students in Adult Basic Education, GED and college programs throughout her long career and was also a Learning and Disabilities Specialist.  Hers was an adventurous and curious mind.  She explored history, nature, poetry, art and social issues, sharing her love of learning with students and friends. 

Pennie was passionate about making education accessible to everyone including women, people from diverse backgrounds, low-income learners, and those challenged by physical, mental health or learning disabilities.  She often included readings about the Civil Rights movement in her classes, and recognized the activist roots of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 that helped shape her own career. 

Pennie earned her Bachelor’s degree and Master of Education in Psychology of Reading at Temple University in Philadelphia, where she grew up.  She taught at Temple, LaSalle University, and Philadelphia Community College.  She also coordinated an educational program for hundreds of adult students in a community-based ABE/GED program at the Lutheran Settlement House Women’s Program, and volunteered in the founding years of the Mount Airy Learning Tree.  Moving to Northampton in 1988 she taught at Holyoke, Greenfield and Berkshire community colleges. 

In Chicago, Pennie was a Learning Assistance counselor at Loyola University before going on to establish and manage the school’s Services for Students with Disabilities.  Returning to the Northampton area in 2000, she worked in the Office for Students with Disabilities/ Deaf Services at Holyoke Community College for a dozen years until retiring in 2012.  She then volunteered with The Literacy Project. 

Pennie’s commitment to education went beyond teaching and advising students.  She was also a dedicated union member of the Massachusetts Community College Council.  Pennie was often the “go-to” person among professional staff at HCC regarding their union rights and she encouraged people to get involved in union activities.  In 2003 she spearheaded a union vote at HCC against the U.S. invasion of Iraq.  She also represented HCC at the state level on the Board of Directors of MCCC.  Pennie remained active as a retired member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, supporting the progressive EDU (Educators for a Democratic Union) caucus. 

In addition to her education activism, Pennie marched for lesbian rights, helped organize the Amherst Fair Housing Now! coalition, and backed local efforts to promote fresh local food, food coops and food security. 

Pennie was full of life.  She was a natural athlete, loved to have fun, laugh, play games, sing songs, attend concerts, watch birds, go to the beach.  An energetic vegetable gardener, Pennie was often happiest with her hands in dirt. She cooked wonderful soups, stews, and ratatouilles from her homegrown food and generously shared the fruits of her garden and garden knowledge with others.

Pennie is survived by her beloved wife of 32 years, Deborah Levenson. They were married in May 2004 when it became legal in Massachusetts.  She is survived, too, by her dear brother, Arthur Marcus of Miami Beach, FL, and several cousins including Richard and Phil Pless of Ashfield, MA and Phil’s wife, Linda Taylor; Susan Berman of Massapequa, NY; and Annette & Ed Schleyer of Lake Worth, FL.   Pennie also leaves behind many close and loving friends in Philadelphia and Massachusetts and others, including colleagues and students, whose lives she touched.

A memorial service to celebrate Pennie’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13 at the Friends Meetinghouse in Northampton, 43 Center St.  Contributions in her honor may be sent to The Literacy Project, 15 Bank Row, Greenfield, MA 01301. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

AMHERST, Kann Prak, a most remarkable woman, died Monday night at home surrounded by 4 generations of her family.

Kann was born in Kom Pong Chanang Province, Cambodia in 1938.  She grew up in a farming village surrounded by extended family.  Kann married in Cambodia and had four sons.  Her husband, a General in the Cambodian Royal Army, and her eldest son, Sokhiem Mao, a doctor at Phnom Penh Hospital as well as a medic in the army, predeceased her as victims of the Khmer Rouge regime.   Kann and her youngest son escaped a death march and they fled Cambodia with her other sons.  After a stay in Thai and Indonesian refugee camps, she and two of her sons arrived in the United States in April of 1982.  Luckily, she found her fourth son and his young family living in Amherst.

Kann immediately secured a job and learned English.  In August of 1988, she bought a house in North Amherst with her youngest son and sponsored her four sisters and their families.  Her positive acts in her later years included fund-raising to rebuild Buddhist Temples that were destroyed during the war in Cambodia.

Kann is survived by three sons and their wives: Sokha Mao and Ny Mao, Sokhen Mao and Sreymom Mao, Sokhan Mao and Mom Yim Mao, 9 grandchildren:  Sokhanath, Sokvana (Alex Lee), Sokvanara Mao, Rotana, Rotanak, Leikana, Ratha Mao, Sokaldara, Sovanmolika Mao, and three great grandchildren: Alisha, Justin, Mariah Lee as well as her sister and brother-in-law, Ky Prak and Noy Sin and many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her sisters Kom Prak and earlier this year Kim Prak and Kao Prak.

Services will be at the Santivana Wat (Buddhist) Temple at 144 Buffam Road in Pelham on Saturday at 10:30 AM.  Cremation will take place Sunday in Springfield.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Santivana Wat in Pelham. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

HADLEY, Maurice Arthur Howe, age 86, passed away on August 1, 2014 at the Elaine Center for Rehabilitation in Hadley, MA with family by his side.

Maurice was born on November 5, 1927 the third son of James and Frances Howe of Cottesloe, Western Australia. He received a B.A. from University of Western Australia, a M.A. with Honors from University of Melbourne, and EdD from the University of Massachusetts.  

During his career in Australia, he was the Chief Psychologist for the Department of Labor, Head of the Department of Psychology, then Dean for Swinburne Institute of Technology.  He was a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society, the Australian Human Resources Institute, and the Institute of Personnel Management. 

His program, Developing Helping Skills, was taught for 20 years in his native country as well as Britain and the United States.   Maurice believed in the importance of teaching interpersonal skills that would enhance all work places.  In retirement, he ran Education Australia, a student exchange program and the Creative Connection, an extension of his skills for life teaching. He also taught in local colleges part time.

An avid world traveler, he met his second wife Frances in 1981 while on sabbatical. Together they made an international family.  

Maurice was a member of Amherst Rotary for 19 years and received the Paul Harris Fellow for service to the community and the Rotary Club.  As a member of the Legends Amherst Golf Club he enjoyed many years of golf and companionship with friends, always ready for a game.

Growing up at the beach informed Maurice’s pleasure for swimming, body surfing and, spear fishing. He enjoyed jazz, dancing, gardening, painting, writing poetry, stamp collecting and The RED SOX and movies. He embraced new experiences such as building his own mud brick house and travel. He had a unique perspective on life and a wry sense of humor.

He loved his country and even though he eventually became a U.S. Citizen it was only done while retaining his Australian Citizenship.  In the past year he published his memoir of formative stories from his Australian life.

Predeceased are his brothers Lyle, and John and his eldest son Peter.  He is survived by his son Steve Howe and his wife Mary, their children Megan, Kitty and her husband James vanCuylenberg, his great-granddaughter Emmeline, his daughter Mandy Howe and her two children Bridget and Charley his grandson Thomas Kempster and mother Lisa all of Australia.  In the United States he is survived by his wife Frances of 32 years, his stepson, Jason Todd and wife Jessie, their children Malcolm, and Stella and stepdaughter Sara Todd Gooch, husband Jason, and their children, Hazel and Simon.

A celebration of life service will be held at South Congregational Church of Amherst on Friday, Aug. 8, at 11:00 a.m.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rotary Club of Amherst Scholarship Fund PO Box 542 Amherst, MA. 01004 Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

AMHERST, Longtime Amherst resident Gale McClung, 91, died on July 30, 2014, at the Elaine Care and Rehabilitation Center in Hadley, with her loving family at her side. 

Florence Nightingale (Gale) Stubbs was born on July 1, 1923 in Akron, Ohio to Elmer and Florence (Harris) Stubbs.  From Akron the family moved to Cleveland Heights, Ohio.  After graduating from Mount Holyoke College in 1945 she moved to New York City and worked as an IBM Systems Service Representative.  Renting an apartment in Greenwich Village with a group who called themselves “the five lovelies,” she shared many adventures with the young women who remained lifelong friends.

In 1949 she married nature writer Robert M. McClung.  They had two sons, Bill and Tom, and lived in Harrison, New York and Chevy Chase, Maryland before settling in Amherst in 1962.  As editor of the Mount Holyoke College Alumnae Quarterly magazine from 1962 until her retirement in 1989 she used her position to give voice to students’ needs and addressed the issues of racism, sexism, and gay and lesbian rights with an open and progressive attitude. 

This spirit of openness was also an important part of her life as a very active member of the First Congregational Church in Amherst. A choir member for over 50 years, she was the first woman to chair the Board of Worship.  She served as moderator and treasurer and organized the annual Cranberry Fair and Merry Musical. 

She participated in community outreach, education, music, capital campaigns and clergy search committees. An avid snapshot artist, Gale also acted as historian and recorder of social events.         

Accompanying herself on her baritone ukulele, she entertained many with her sing-alongs and program of “Nutty and Naughty” songs.  Her talent for writing appropriately funny and touching lyrics to familiar melodies made her a hit at friends’ birthdays, class reunions and retirement parties.         

Gale edited and co-wrote two books for American History Research Associates: “The Book of Presidents” and “Distinguished American Women.”  With her husband Bob she compiled and edited “At War and At Home,” letters to and from members of the McClung family during World War II.          

For a time she served as an Amherst Town Meeting member, often canceling out her husband’s vote.  She was a member of the Traveler’s Club for which she made many presentations.          

In 1968 the McClungs built a vacation home on Cape Cod where they enjoyed many summers and weekends.  She loved to take walks, relax, read, engage in lively discussions, and play games, especially raucous card games of “Oh, Hell” with family and friends.           

Gale was a member of the founding board of the retirement community, Applewood at Amherst, and moved in there one year after her husband died in 2006.  She was active in the Applewood community and counted many friends there.          

Ever the optimist, Gale was full of fun, bright and perceptive, with a great sense of humor.  She radiated joy and smiled readily and was deeply loved by her family and friends.  In reflecting on her life, she wanted everyone to know the joy she had felt.             

She is survived by her two sons William McClung and his wife, Emily, of Pelham, and Thomas McClung and his wife, Anne, of Normandy, France; and two grandchildren Gregory McClung of Hamburg, Germany, and Melissa McClung of Hadley.  She was predeceased by her brother William Stubbs and his wife, Ruth, of Bath, New York.             

Gale nurtured friendships with people of all ages and was a cherished adviser to many of her nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.             

Memorial gifts may be made to Mount Holyoke College and First Congregational Church of Amherst.  A memorial service, which she wished to be a happy celebration of her life, will take place at the First Congregational Church of Amherst at 1:00 pm on Saturday, November 1, 2014. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

AMHERST, Leeta (Linn) Bailey passed away on July 29, 2014 at her home.  Leeta was born on June 6, 1935, in Newport, Oregon, the only child of Carl and Alice (Head) Linn.  The family lived throughout Oregon, including Newport, Arlington, and The Dalles, but she always reminisced about Ione.  She was a graduate of the University of Oregon, and taught elementary school alongside her mother.

Leeta married Duane W. Bailey on April 11, 1959.  Soon after, they moved to New Haven, Conn., and then, in 1963, to Amherst, where they raised a family, several generations of English Bulldogs, and honey bees.  Leeta taught for a short while at the Smith College Day School.  She then worked, for 21 years, at the Amherst College Library, primarily as a Reference Librarian and head of Circulation. She received her Master’s in Library Information Science from the University of Texas School of Information in 1986.

Leeta was an avid reader.  She had an artistic eye, enjoying knitting, carving, and painting.  She raised orchids and collected antique glass.  She was a passionate fan of the Red Sox, UConn’s Lady Huskies Basketball, and coffee.

She is survived by her cousin Margaret “Peggy” Thompson, of Port Angeles, WA; her three children, Duane A. Bailey of Williamstown, Gregory K. Bailey, of Billerica, and Mark W. Bailey, of Clinton, NY; and her five grandchildren, Megan E. Bailey, of Belchertown, Katelin A. Bailey, of Seattle, WA, Duane R. Bailey, of Philadelphia, PA, and Jessica C. Bailey and Margaret E. Bailey of Clinton, NY.

Friends and family are invited to gather at the family home at 115 Van Meter Drive from 3 to 5pm on August 16.  Funeral arrangements were by Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst, MA.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Amherst Survival Center, P.O. Box 9629, North Amherst MA 01059-9629. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

WELLS, ME – Dorothy M. Bray, just shy of her 90^th birthday, died peacefully Monday, July 28, 2014 at her residence in Wells surrounded by her loving family.

Dorothy was born September 29, 1924 in Amherst, MA, the daughter of John E. and Ebba L. Tidlund McKemmie, and is a graduate of Amherst High School.

Upon graduation, she began working at the Amherst Savings Bank, where she stayed until her retirement in 1976. She and her husband Harold then moved to Wells, where they had been vacationing for years. Together, they loved to travel, walked Marginal Way in Ogunquit, and loved to have her grandchildren visit as often as possible.

Dorothy is predeceased by her husband Harold A. Bray in 2007, two brothers John E. McKemmie, Jr. and Thomas L. McKemmie, and two sisters Edith Campbell and Ruth Miller.

Survivors include her daughter, Janet Aldrich of Valley Stream, NY; son Charles Bray and his wife Jennifer of Rotonda West, FL; a brother Richard J. McKemmie of Greenfield, MA; and four sisters Louise Micka of Easthampton, MA, Barbara Jacque of West Brookfield, MA, Virginia Downie of Agawam, MA, and Janet Fraser of Wilbraham, MA; grandchildren Timothy P. Aldrich of Belchertown, MA, Jennifer N. Aldrich of Valley Stream, NY, Daniel C. Bray of Gig Harbor, WA and Erik J. Bray of Amherst, MA; and great grandchildren Athell P. and Jordan M. Bennett and Jocelyn R. and Matthew Bray.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, August 8, from 4-7 p.m. at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst, MA. Funeral services will be Saturday, August 9, at 11:00 a.m. at the Douglass Funeral Service. Burial will follow in South Amherst Cemetery.

Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made to the York Hospice, c/o Home Health Foundation, Attn: External Relations, 360 Merrimack St., Building 9, Lawrence, MA 01843. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

HADLEY, Samuel Chamberlain Koch died of sinus cancer at home in Hadley, MA, July 20, 2014 at age 59.

Sam was born in Boston, MA, the son of the late Albert Carl Koch Jr. and Frances Jean Emery Koch. Growing up, Sam and his family were known to be avid skiers and sailors. He was a graduate of Concord Carlisle High School where he received the “Flag Award” for Civic Contributions and then went on to complete a post-graduate year at Northfield Mount Hermon School in Gill, MA. Sam enjoyed reminiscing about his cross-country bike ride from “Newport, OR to Newport, RI.” Sam received a Bachelor of Science from Colby College majoring in History and Environmental Studies and played four years of varsity soccer. His efforts and commitment to Colby Soccer resulted in the creation of the “Sam Koch Award” that is still presented annually for spirit and dedication. Sam took time off from college to go to England to assist his father, a Naval Architect, in building a 60 foot ketch and attempting a trans-Atlantic voyage.

Sam began his soccer coaching career assisting at Boston College and then Brown University. He was Head Coach at Stanford University from 1984 to 1989. In 1991, Sam began his 23 year tenure as Head Coach of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He led his team to three NCAA tournaments with the memorable run to the 2007 College Cup, the National Semi-Finals. Coach Koch ended his career as the “winningest men’s soccer coach” in UMass history with 222 total victories, but Sam’s proudest moments were not the wins or the many awards. When his former players would visit and talk about their lives, he felt joy and thankfulness that he was a part of their story and knew that his mentoring and lessons influenced and empowered these grateful young men. Coach Sam was not only well loved and appreciated by his alumni players but also by his peers and support staff. This sentiment is shown by the hundreds of heartfelt tributes written in his name.

Sam is survived by his wife, Suzanne (Patterson) and four children: Christopher, Benjamin, Jeffrey and Katherine. His brother, David Koch of Watertown, MA and his sister, Elizabeth Corwin, her husband Eric and their three children: Matthew, Erica and Zoe of Essex, MA. He will be greatly missed by his Aunt Polly and Uncle Jim Curran, of Hancock, NH. Sam also leaves half-siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Sam loved being a coach, but his family came first as a thoughtful, dedicated husband and a proud, fun-loving father. His happiest and most content moments were at home with his family or on vacation making memories. Sam will be missed on the sidelines at the local Hopkins Academy games and in the audience at his children’s performances. He will be remembered for his stories and sense of humor. Sam’s legacy will live on through all those who knew and loved him.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Memorial Service and Celebration of Life on Sunday, August 3^rd at 12:00. The Service is at Northfield Mount Hermon Memorial Chapel. A Celebration at Rudd Field, University of Massachusetts Amherst begins at 3pm.

In true Sam style, this celebration will be casual with food and soccer balls so bring your cleats and a Sam story. As Sam would say at sunrise practices in February “It’s a beautiful day to be alive, Gentlemen.”

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Koch Kids College Fund at Florence Savings Bank or to a charity honoring Sam’s life. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

AMHERST, Winifred (Windy) D. Sayer of Amherst, MA died Sunday, July 20, 2014 in Sunderland at the age of 101 surrounded by family. Born in Whitstable, Kent, England, Windy spent her first 10 years in Brooklyn, NY where she began her love of gardening and dance at an early age. She moved to Bermuda in 1923 with her father and beloved mother and sister, 6 years her senior. Windy explored the island as a Girl Guide and as a novice sailor – building a sailboat and sailing on her own around the island throughout her girlhood.

In the early 1930s, Windy received a scholarship, as an exemplary Girl Guide, from Helen Storrow of Boston, MA to attend Cornell University. There, she studied landscape design and met her husband Albert H. Sayer. After graduating in 1937, Windy bicycled around England and then worked as part of the nascent America Youth Hostels movement in Northfield, MA before returning to Ithaca. She and Albert were married in 1940 at Cornell and moved to Amherst where Al was an instructor at the Massachusetts Agricultural College (University of Massachusetts). Their son, Stephen, was born in 1942 and their daughter, Mary, was born two years later in 1944. Shortly thereafter, Al died serving in the South Pacific as a Captain in the Army in World War II.

Windy spent the rest of her life in Amherst, MA, traveling to England, Greece, Scandinavia and Australia during her lifetime. She worked as a lab assistant researching monarch butterflies at Amherst College during the 1950s and then as a librarian at the Jones Library where she became the first curator of the Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost Collections.

Family, dancing and gardening were central parts of Windy’s life. Two of her favorite phrases were “trees are the answer” and “I’d rather be dancing.” Windy was known for her beautiful woodland garden and for the plants she would leave for her neighbors to take and enjoy. Every year from 1960-2012 Windy spent her summers folk dancing and exploring the woods of Maine at the Mainewoods Dance Camp, a cherished place full of friends, dance and nature. Cornell also remained an important place throughout her life and she attended reunions regularly to see friends and share fond memories. Windy was an active member of the First Congregational Church in Amherst, a place that gave her much laughter, friendship and peace throughout her life.

Windy lived life as an exploration, with humor and compassion. She was quick to research something and share her research when she thought she could help and she always had an interesting story to share about her latest adventure. She will be greatly missed by her family, Mary Sayer, Stephen Sayer, her two granddaughters, Anna Coldham and Leah Coldham, and her son-in-law, Bruce Coldham.

A memorial service will be held at the First Congregational Church, Amherst, MA on October 18th of this year. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Wildwood Cemetery, 70 Strong Street, Amherst, MA, 01002 for the Albert and Winifred Sayer Memorial Fund, to support indigenous plants in Wildwood Cemetery.  Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

Martina believed in being a voice for progress, with an interest in law and was a lifelong, passionate activist.  She earned a BS in International Environmental Studies from Cook College (Rutgers), an AS in Computer Information Systems from Greenfield Community College and an MS in Organization and Management from Antioch New England Graduate School. She was a trained mediator, had worked in the GCC Development Office and participated in the Franklin County Reinventing Justice project in Greenfield.

A voracious reader, Martina could always be found with her current reading selection in hand, her next book near by and an audio book in her car. She was constantly on the lookout for new releases by the likes of John Irving, Barbara Kingsolver, Archer Mayer, T.C. Boyle, Sheri S. Tepper, John McPhee, Jasper Fforde and Terry Pratchett. This love of reading inspired her daughter, Tegan, to become a librarian.

Martina was an accomplished farmer and gardener. With Michael Friedman, her husband of 15 years, Martina raised Boer goats at Levity Farm in Shutesbury.  After moving to Massachusetts in 1981, she managed Hop Brook Farm, a market garden operation in New Salem, with her then spouse, John Mannino.

She is survived by her husband Michael B. Friedman of Shutesbury, daughter Tegan C. Mannino (Robbie Gunter) of Belchertown and stepsons Nicholas Buckminster of San Jose, CA, and Daniel Buckminster (Erin) of Amherst. She is also survived by her cousin Patrick Carroll (Lama) of Holyoke, sisters Mary Costello of Egg Harbor Township, NJ, and Martha C. Vollmer (Mason) of Phoenixville, PA, as well as other family members in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

A Systems Advocate at Stavros Center for Independent Living in Amherst, Martina tracked local, state and federal disability issues, advocated and lobbied with legislators and government agencies and played active roles in numerous state demonstration projects and efforts. She also chaired the Shutesbury ADA Committee.

Martina was remembered by her coworkers at Stavros as having “a deep and abiding commitment to disability rights, and a deep and abiding impatience with bureaucrats, nursing homes, and progress that was too slow. These qualities made her a ferocious advocate.” Martina will be missed deeply by her family, friends and those she has helped – but even more by those whose lives she was yet to touch.

A Memorial Service is scheduled for 1:30pm on Sunday, August 24, 2014, at the Munson Library in South Amherst. More about Martina can be found at the remembrance website, www.martinacarroll.net, and at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

SHUTESBURY, The Massachusetts Disability Rights community lost a tireless and accomplished advocate with the passing of Martina Carroll on Saturday, July 12, 2014, at the Hartford Hospital – a result of complications following surgery. Born in Abington, PA, on September 21, 1956, she was the daughter of the late Thomas J. and Myra T. Carroll. Her family lived in various locations throughout NJ, NY, PA and CA, as they followed her father’s career in the electronics industry. She also spent many summers at her family’s home in Stone Harbor, NJ.

Martina believed in being a voice for progress, with an interest in law and was a lifelong, passionate activist.  She earned a BS in International Environmental Studies from Cook College (Rutgers), an AS in Computer Information Systems from Greenfield Community College and an MS in Organization and Management from Antioch New England Graduate School. She was a trained mediator, had worked in the GCC Development Office and participated in the Franklin County Reinventing Justice project in Greenfield.

A voracious reader, Martina could always be found with her current reading selection in hand, her next book nearby and an audio book in her car. She was constantly on the lookout for new releases by the likes of John Irving, Barbara Kingsolver, Archer Mayer, T.C. Boyle, Sheri S. Tepper, John McPhee, Jasper Fforde and Terry Pratchett. This love of reading inspired her daughter, Tegan, to become a librarian.

Martina was an accomplished farmer and gardener. With Michael Friedman, her husband of 15 years, Martina raised Boer goats at Levity Farm in Shutesbury.  After moving to Massachusetts in 1981, she managed Hop Brook Farm, a market garden operation in New Salem, with her then spouse, John Mannino.

She is survived by her husband Michael B. Friedman of Shutesbury, daughter Tegan C. Mannino (Robbie Gunter) of Belchertown and stepsons Nicholas Buckminster of San Jose, CA, and Daniel Buckminster (Erin) of Amherst. She is also survived by her cousin Patrick Carroll (Lama) of Holyoke, sisters Mary Costello of Egg Harbor Township, NJ, and Martha C. Vollmer (Mason) of Phoenixville, PA, as well as other family members in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

A Systems Advocate at Stavros Center for Independent Living in Amherst, Martina tracked local, state and federal disability issues, advocated and lobbied with legislators and government agencies and played active roles in numerous state demonstration projects and efforts. She also chaired the Shutesbury ADA Committee.

Martina was remembered by her coworkers at Stavros as having “a deep and abiding commitment to disability rights, and a deep and abiding impatience with bureaucrats, nursing homes, and progress that was too slow. These qualities made her a ferocious advocate.” Martina will be missed deeply by her family, friends and those she has helped – but even more by those whose lives she was yet to touch.

A Memorial Service is scheduled for 1:30pm on Sunday, August 24, 2014, at the Munson Library in South Amherst. More about Martina can be found at the remembrance website, www.martinacarroll.net, and at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.