FARMINGTON– Martha J. McDonald, 66, of Farmington, died peacefully late Friday, May, 22, 2015 surrounded by her loving family at Franklin Memorial Hospital.
Martha was born on Dec. 19, 1948, one of 11 siblings, a daughter of Thornton F. and Sadie A. (Campbell) Thorndike. She spent her childhood growing up in Franklin County and attended school at the Paul G. Whittemore School in Phillips. She met her husband, James J. McDonald at a dance in Farmington and three months later they wed on Oct. 27, 1967. Together they shared 37 years of marriage until his passing in 2005.
Martha was a generous soul who lived a life of passion. As a dedicated employee in the registration department at Franklin Memorial Hospital for many years, she took much pleasure in helping others and befriended all whom she came in contact with.
Martha enjoyed cooking and sharing her baked goods with family and friends and was particularly famous for her jams, jellies, and baked goodies. Martha was a skilled painter who also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing and crafts of all kinds. She spent many hours researching family genealogy. She also served for many years as an adult leader for the Boy Scouts and was a member of the Emblem Club in Farmington. Martha was the true matriarch of her family and she will be missed by all.
She will be missed and forever loved by her children: Jen Scott of Farmington, James McDonald and his companion, Heather Kirk of Livermore and Tim McDonald and his wife, Rosemary of Madison; grandchildren: Brad, Morgan, Brandon “Bubba” Heather, Brianna, Cecelia, and Hunter; step-grandchildren, Isabella, Sophia, Jibryne, Dustin, Kayla; great grandchildren, Brady, Ember, Jenna, Eliot; siblings, Robert Thorndike and his wife Adele of Philips, Shirley Barker of Livermore Falls, James Thorndike and his wife, Maxine of Corcoran, Minn., Mary Gordon of Farmington, Christine Mitchell of Farmington, Penny Morrell of Limington; two sisters-in-law, Erma Thorndike of Farmington and Elizabeth Bouchard and her husband Leo of Millinocket; many nieces and nephews and countless close friends whose friendship she cherished.
She was predeceased by her husband, parents, siblings: Gladys Comstock, Victor Thorndike, Richard Thorndike, an infant sister and close family friend Kendall Burdin.
Tributes and condolences may be shared by visiting www.wilesrc.com.
Relatives and friends are invited a memorial visitation on Friday, June 5, 2015 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Rd., Farmington, ME 04938. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 6 at 3 p.m. at the center. Remembrance gifts in memory of Martha may be donated to the American Lung Association, Maine Chapter, 122 State St., Augusta, ME 04330.
R.I.P. Aunt Martha you will be missed!
Condolences to all her friends and family. Only the good die young. RIP my friend.
Always in our hearts. Your legacy and memories will last forever. Rest in Peace.
Martha, I’ll miss you and your positive comments but know you will be watching over all of us. Rest comfortably my friend. Condolences to Martha’s family, she was a wonderful person.
My heart aches but I know you are in a better place filled with other loved ones. I will miss your smile, your laughter, your knowledge, your guidance and especially your friendship! Thank your for always loving us, for being there during our tough times and for being a special part of our lives. Enjoy life on the other side sweetie. Til I see you again! Love you much, Ann
Jen, James, Tim and families, Thinking of you always!
You were a lovely lady, Martha. You will be missed. To her family- my heart goes out to you. Take what she taught you and run with it. She will be pleased.
I’m so sorry for your loss… Rest in peace
To Martha’s family – Harold and I send our sincere condolences .
Martha, I will miss you and your many contributions on Facebook. go with peace. Elaine
I met you Martha at my good friend and your nephew John Harper’s wake/ funeral. You friended me on FB and we shared many thoughts and messages. I will miss this very much as you were quit inspiring. Rest in Peace my dear friend. Give John a big hug. Thank you for being a friend and the time we shared. You will be missed.
I only knew Martha for a couple years but on the few occasions that we met or spoke over the phone she always had a comment to make me smile. It was a pleasure to have known her. My sincere condolences to family and friends.
To meet Aunt Martha once was to love her.
I remember the day she was at the ED registration for the first time that I saw her. I was so tickled I would see her more and have quick chats after bringing in a patient that would never fail to brighten my day. After she got done, it was never the same, then we chatted on Facebook… and she took a passion for family genealogy. I will never forget my treasured book of this that we got for Christmas a few years ago, it is always a piece of her love for her family I will have of her.
To Tyke, Jen and Tim, I am so glad that you guys have a lot of your mom’s traits, its like a piece of her forever lives on. You and your children were her most treasured things on earth.
May you be with your family and beloved Jim once again as the angel you were here on earth, in heaven now. RIP Aunt Martha. We love you.
thinking of the family…Hugs to you all…
I will miss you my oldest and dearest friend. We have made many wonderful memories as children and as grown woman. You made this world a better place with your kindness and love for all of us. RIP- Love you!
So sorry Jen and family for your loss. Thinking of you.
To Martha’s family, so sad to read this today. Martha was a wonderful woman and she always had a smile for everyone. She truly was a blessing to this world. She will be missed by all who had the opportunity to know her. Rest in peace, Martha.
Jen and family: we are so sorry for your loss. Martha (the lady at the lake) was such a joy to know. To say nothing of her great cooking. She was an awesome, talented and inspiring lady. I will miss her and that big smile she always had. RIP Martha.
To Martha’s family, we are so very sorry about Martha’s passing. She was a sweet lady that loved her family, and friends. Our thoughts and prayers to you all. Cherish all your memories, this will help you thru this difficult time.
Sue and Duck
I loved your smile, how you reached out to me when death hit my husband at a young age. Please know you made a difference in so many people lives. To the family, your mom was a hero to me. Seeing how she put others first and was always there to listen. Hugs to all