Gertrude Whitall Martin of Concord MA, formerly of Amherst, NH, died on Saturday November 24, 2018.

Born in Katonah, NY on November 5, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Josephine C. and Thomas W. Whitall. She was predeceased by her husband, Pierre E. Martin and their son Thomas W. Martin. She is survived by her daughters Josephine C. Martin (Melissa Meyers) of Arlington, VA and Martha L. Shethar (Alan Shethar) of Littleton, MA; grandchildren Thomas W. Martin, Jr (Alexandra), Christopher S. Martin (Kristin), Katharine L. Martin, Daphne F. Shethar, Eric P. Shethar and Eleanor W. Martin; a great granddaughter Harper K. Martin and a sister-in-law, Anne Marie Morotte.

She attended the Rippowam School in Bedford NY and graduated from Miss Hall’s School in Pittsfield, MA. She received a BA in Education and a MA in Early Childhood Education and General Special Education from Antioch College in Keene, NH.

She and her husband lived in Boston MA and Harvard, MA before moving to Amherst NH where they lived for 53 years. She taught in the Milford School system. She was a founder and Executive Director of the Souhegan Valley Association for the Handicapped, serving on the Board of Trustees for several years. In the 1980s she helped to organize the hot-air balloon rally for High Hopes, an organization that grants wishes to terminally ill children.

For 29 years, she served as a volunteer at the Hillsborough County House of Corrections in Manchester, NH teaching reading and literacy skills. She was moved by the humanity and potential of these men and dedicated herself to improving their lives; it was a passion and a calling for her. She worked as a volunteer counselor at Thresholds, an inmate release counseling program.

She was a member of the Amherst Garden Club and served 2 terms on the NH Governor’s Commission on the Status of Women. She served on the Board of New Horizons of New Hampshire during which time she was an enthusiastic supporter of their decision to add Angie’s Shelter for Women in Manchester.

After the death of her husband, she moved to Newbury Court in Concord, MA and lived there for 10 happy years. She was an ardent supporter of the Democratic party and she was a champion for those whom society neglects. She was a remarkable role model for her family and for many others. Her commitment to social justice, community service and English grammar will be remembered by all. The family would greatly appreciate any memorial donations to New Horizons of NH (199 Manchester St, Manchester, NH 03103 www.newhorizonsnh.org).

Memorial service December 8, 2018 at 1pm Duvall Chapel, Newbury Court, Concord, MA.

Arrangements are under the care of Dee Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Concord, MA.

For online guestbook please visit www.deefuneralhome.com.