JEAN M. (VICKERSON) MARTELL, age 75, a Hingham resident for the past 53 years, passed away on Sunday, May 25th, 2008 at her home. She was the wife of the late Ernest W. Martell, Jr. and mother of Linda Felter and her husband John Kenneth Felter of Cambridge, David Martell and his wife Robin of Cohasset and the late Charles E. Martell. Also survived by her grandsons; Turner and Stephen Martell of Cohasset, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition, she was the sister of the late Helen Gulla.
Jean left her family and her many lifelong friends far too soon. All of us who love her know that Jean and Ernie raised Linda, Chuck and Dave to value the truly important things in life. Family always came first. Jean has bestowed those same core values, and her sense of wonder and adventure, on the next generation of Martell’s as the caretaker for two (or more) days each week of David's and Robin's two sons, Turner and Stephen. "The boys" will surely miss "Nana" not only as a constant influence in their lives but also as a fixture at their baseball and soccer games and guitar and ukulele recitals. Linda will miss her closest confidante and Dave his strongest supporter. Their only solace is knowing that Jean lived all her days filled with joy and love, and that she will now be reunited with Ernie and Chuck. We also know that Jean will live on as essential parts of Linda and Dave and "the boys" and future generations of Martell’s.
Jean traveled extensively and shared the world with family and friends. Jean and Ernie took the kids on summer trips, including a cross-country camping "adventure" in 1973, which continues to be the source of family lore and legend. Jean and Ernie loved traveling with Jean's cousins - the Matheson's - and visited countries throughout Europe and elsewhere. Linda was travel guide when Jean and Linda toured Ireland, the place Jean "most wanted to visit," in 2006. Unknown to Linda, her mother kept a journal of their Irish trip which enlivened her photo album - a memento Linda will always cherish.
Jean's friends are legion. Throughout her life, Jean and Ernie looked forward to get-togethers with "the crowd" from Milton and Quincy. Jean was born and raised in Milton and was an active member of Milton High School class reunion committees. Since her retirement, Jean enjoyed keeping in touch with her many colleagues at the South Shore Medical Center in Norwell and Eye Health Services where she was Office Manager of the main office in Weymouth.
In addition to her family and friends, many in the Town of Hingham will miss Jean. In 1955, Jean and Ernie moved into the home that Jean's father ("Bumpa") and Ernie designed and constructed, and enjoyed her home her entire adult life. She loved bridge and looked forward to regular "bridge club" meetings. Jean will be missed by the members of the Hingham Ladies Club, her co-volunteers at the Hingham Interfaith Food Pantry, the choir and congregation at the old Hingham Methodist Church, and the congregation at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Hingham where Ernie served as a deacon.
Jean loved life. She loved her garden. She loved to knit. Although, in recent years arthritis slowed her down a bit and forced her to give up her daily morning walks with friends, nothing stopped her from going to Red Sox Spring Training each year with Linda's and David's families and completely enjoying the abundance of cultural, entertainment and sporting events in Boston and the South Shore. Jean was always "up for anything."
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, May 30th at 10 AM at St. Paul's Church, 147 North St., Hingham Square.
Friends may visit at the Downing Cottage Funeral Chapel, 21 Pond St., Hingham on Thursday from 2-4 & 7-9 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jean's memory may be made to the Chuck Martell Scholarship Fund, c/o Town of Hingham - Treasurer's Office, 210 Central St., Hingham, MA 02043.
Interment in Milton Cemetery.