Martha Clark of Bridgton passed away on Friday, June 30, 2023.

She was born on Nov. 3, 1944, in El Paso, Tex. Martha’s father was a
pilot in the Armed Services, whose plane was shot down in 1945 and
his remains were never recovered. Several years later, Martha’s mom,
Martha, remarried, and Gerald (Johnny) Franklin adopted Martha. Johnny was a lineman for ATT&T and the family moved throughout the country as his workplaces changed and the family grew. Johnny and Martha also had three boys and another little girl. Johnny, after several promotions, moved to New Jersey to work in ATT&T offices in White Plains, N.Y.

In the late 1960s, Martha found herself in New Jersey and in 1974 met her true love at a Memorial Day Parade in Fair Lawn. Martha’s and Bill’s second date was a day bass fishing on Greenwood Lake, something Martha had never done. So besides catching numerous bass that day, Martha found she had fallen for Bill and bass fishing! Bill and Martha married a year later on Memorial Day and began married life together in Fair Lawn with daughter Samantha. Martha began as the Recycling Coordinator for Fair Lawn in 1983 and grew the Curbside Recycling Program to a multi-state recognized program, winning numerous awards from the State of New Jersey. She traveled to other towns and states to give them her secret to running a successful program.

Martha and Bill bought their first bass boat in 1987, and began to fish bass tournaments together and found some success fishing against other teams throughout New England and Canada, despite the fact the other teams were almost always two men, something Martha took great pleasure in.

Martha and Bill retired to Maine in July of 1996. Martha, having a green thumb, began the process of planting and caring for beautiful gardens around their home spending many hours caring for her flowers and vegetables and of course many days on the water chasing bass. Never without dogs in their home since returning from their honeymoon in June of 1975, Martha took great pleasure grooming and nurturing her “Fur Babies.”

Several health issues over the last several years never got her down. She rebounded over and over again, never complaining and always with a smile on her face. When doctors, nurses and others she met asked how she did it, she was quick to respond, “I’m from Texas and a Tough Lady.”

Martha passed peacefully at home with husband Bill and daughter Samantha at her side. She will be missed forever by husband Bill, daughter Samantha, grandson Josh, and his wife Mariah, as well as family and friends from near and far.

Arrangements were private at the behest of the family.

Anyone looking to make a donation in Martha’s name can send it to America’s Vet Dogs, 371 Middle Country Rd., Smithtown, NY 11787.

Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 8 Elm Street, Bridgton. To make an online condolence please www.chandlerfunerals.com