Martha Martin

LEWISTON — Martha Day Martin, 81, of Harrison, died peacefully early Sunday morning, June 26, 2016, at the Central Maine Medical Center with her family in attendance. She had been diagnosed with Wegener's Disease in May, leading to several weeks of hospitalization and treatment prior to her death. A team of nurses, doctors and medical professionals worked hard to make her final weeks as comfortable as possible.

Martha Joan Day was born on Jan. 8, 1935 in Portland. Her parents, Dr. Rubie Woodcock Day and Dr. O. Kenneth Day, were physicians with a practice based in their home office on Main Street in Harrison. Martha attended Harrison Grammar School and Bridgton High School where she graduated as class valedictorian. She went on to attend Stephens College in Columbia, Miss., where she received an Associate of Arts degree. While in college, her focus of study was the fine arts. She studied the harp, sculpture and jewelry-making. Her artwork won her a scholarship to the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston where she planned to continue her studies. However, her high school sweetheart, Rex Martin, proposed and she accepted. The couple moved together, first to Boston, then to Missouri where Rex completed medical school. By the time they returned to Harrison to open a medical practice, they had three children: Heather, Eric and Paul.

Martha supported her husband as his Executive Administrative Assistant, handling all billing, insurance claims, and maintaining office inventory. When their children were grown the couple traveled together to medical conferences around the country.

Martha was a member of the Harrison Congregational Church, the Harrison Krafty Kritters social group, and several book clubs. She enjoyed gardening, needlework, and baking. As a resident of Harrison her entire life, she will be missed, but fondly remembered, by many friends and neighbors.

She is survived by her sister, Susan Day Wilton; her daughter, Heather; her sons, Eric and Paul; granddaughters, Shannon and Savannah; her grandson, William; and her great-grandsons, Dallys, Taylor and Dominic.

Services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, July 2, at the United Parish UCC of Harrison and North Bridgton, 77 Main St., Harrison. The family requests that donations in lieu of flowers be made in her name to the United Parish UCC of Harrison & North Bridgton, P.O. Box 95, Harrison, ME 04040, or to the Harrison Public Library, P.O. Box 597, Harrison, ME 04040. Arrangements are in the care of the Chandler Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 8 Elm St., Bridgton. Words of condolence and tribute may be shared with her family at www.chandlerfunerals.com