Your Memories of Martha
Please share your memories of Martha here. These comments are moderated, so you won’t see them appear immediately, but we welcome your stories and will share them as the Web Goblin (Martha’s nickname for her youngest) has time to moderate.
We have been very fortunate to get to know Martha well during our many three weeks tent vacations on Maple Hill Campsites. We enjoyed long talks and discussions with her. And we could not have done without her constantly helping us whenever she could. She was a very interested, intelligent, and charming woman. We will greatly miss her!
Our deepest condolences to Gracey, Tirzha, Meadow, and Cora.
Your Swiss friends from site 12,
Benno and Barbara
I just spoke to her for the first time on September 14 to make a reservation
we had a great conversation, what a lovely woman I was looking forward to meeting here
Thank you for sharing her story
I’m so sorry
Kevin
Martha was my very first best friend. We were both 5 years old. I lived at one end of Maplewood Avenue, and she lived at the other end, near Maplewood Village. We had many play dates.
My parents, Frank and Ruth Stockman, were friends with Martha’s parents, John and Mildred and Martha’s aunt. We knew “Osmun’s”, the store well.
I have a beautiful photo from 1953 of five young girls, all 6 years old, at Lanny Coachman’s birthday party. Martha is standing next to me, holding my hand. (I would like to send you a copy of the photo, if possible.)
I lost touch with Martha over the years when my family moved to another neighborhood in town and Martha was a year ahead of me in school (because of our birth dates).
In 2005, my husband and I moved to Shelburne Vermont from Cambridge Massachusetts. Five years later, we were visiting Shelburne Museum and the Ticonderoga. As we climbed up to the boats’ pilot house, I recognized a voice. It was Martha, 56 years after the birthday party. Martha was the docent that day on the Ticonderoga. I read her name tag and said, “Martha Osman, did you grow up in Maplewood New Jersey?” She turned to me and said, “Yes, why?” I introduced myself and we both couldn’t believe that here, 56 years later we met again.
We saw each other many times since then, both at the Museum and at our farm in Shelburne and Shelburne Pond Studios.
I am so very sad that such a happy, caring and beautiful woman has left us here on earth.
Hi Kathy,
Mama loved that you two found each other again after so many years. I remember her telling me that story after work that day, she was so excited you were now in VT! I would love it if you shared your photo, please email it to vtwebgoblin@gmail.com
-gracey
I was heart broken to hear of Martha’s passing. My time with Martha was relatively short, but ever so sweet. I have only fond memories of Martha’s kindness and generosity. She was the warmest of souls and intensely caring.
Even though I had not seen Martha in a long time, knowing her left glowing imprint on my heart. And I am sure I’m not alone.
My condolences and love go out to Gracey, Tirzha, Meadow, and Cora.
You’ll forever be in our hearts Mama Martha.