Lincoln - Martha Robertson Brown, 78, passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 surrounded by her loving family after an 8 year struggle with ALZ and a brief battle with cancer. Martha is survived by her four daughters and their families; Natalie and Stephen Lepre of Jamestown, Sharon MacBeth of Lincoln, Kellie and Paul Alves of Statesville,NC, Jodi and Martin Sherlock of Foster and her grandchildren; Samuel, Spencer, Katie, and Jamie Alves, Blake Carini, Neil Sowa, Casey MacBeth, Cameron Simpson, Patrick and Elizabeth Sherlock. Martha’s grandchildren adored her as she did them, but we are all in agreement that Casey held a very special place in her heart and needed all the loving and kissing that she provided.
Martha is predeceased by her wonderful parents, George Thomas and Thelma Robertson, her siblings, Elwood, Thomas, Edward and Malcolm and survived by her siblings Thelma Verdon (John), Lloyd (Mike) Robertson (Paulette), Claudia Ambrose (David), William Robertson (Theresa), Joseph Robertson ( Beverly) and her sisters in law, Marylou and Beverly Robertson, and many loving nieces and nephews. And, of course, her favorite cousin Carrol Ann Roy.
Born and raised in Lincoln RI, Martha’s life ended much as it began, simply, happily, and surrounded by the people who loved her the most. One of ten, Martha always recounted happy times with her family on Stump Hill in Lincoln. Her father would always take his “little chicky dumplings” down to Lincoln Woods for a swim in the wheelbarrow and then they would gather vegetables out of their impressive garden for a healthy dinner.
Martha graduated from Tolman High School in 1960. She then took a position with Amica Insurance. She married Bernard “Skip” Brown on September 16, 1961. Martha then dedicated the next 12 years to her growing family. In 1973 she became “Farmer Brown” when they moved the family to Shoreham, VT. If she didn’t know how strong she was before this, she knew it then! A dairy farm with 4 daughters under the age of ten (not four teenage boys), placed incredible responsibility on this 31 year old. But she had seven brothers and was no shrinking violet. Moving back to Lincoln, she opened Brown’s Home Fashion Center with her husband and started an interior decorating career spanning 15 years. Courses at RISD In interior design would help land her some major projects of which she was very proud. Home design and furniture sales would finish out her talented career with Herman’s and Cardi’s. Her homes were always tastefully and beautifully decorated, but the girls weren’t allowed to sit on the silk sofas!
Martha was an avid golfer and enjoyed much play time at Pawtucket Country Club with her dear friend Gail Southworth and at Lincoln Country Club. Later in life she enjoyed art classes with her sister Thelma. And her dear brother Mike took her on many journeys up the hill and down the hill! Her beloved dog, Harry, was her furry companion for many years.
Thank you to the Cook, Miller, McGuy, Kay, Hayden, and Bizier families, for many treasured ski trips, Johnson’s Pond cookouts and camping trips. Thank you to the Golden Girls for all their wonderful get togethers. We now know why she could never remember who her Secret Pal was!!!!!!! These friendships lasted her entire adult life and sustained her. Thank you!
And love to her dear friend, Pat Grant, with whom she shared many lovely trips and many more laughs!!!!!
Natalie and Stephen wish to thank their friends and Jamestown neighbors who always made Martha feel very special when she was in their company. Thank you to Marybeth and Bob Hunte for our many memorable Sunday Suppers.
Jodi and Marty wish to thank Jodi’s “Girls” for being there to answer any questions and for lending support during this time.
We wish to thank Dr. Stephen Salloway and his team at the Butler Memory and Aging Clinic and wish them the best in their efforts to cure this horrible disease. Thank you for your care and the laughter we shared during her treatment. Thank you to Darlington for keeping her safe. We also wish to thank the PACE organization and Hope Hospice RI for their timely and caring response when Martha was moved to her daughter Jodi’s home for her end of life. Thank you to the Sherlock Family for giving up a bedroom, bunking with a great aunt, making peanut butter cookies, reading some Harry Potter, adding pavers and a handrail for visitors and for the 24 hour care that Jodi provided. Her last full sentence was, “I would rather have ice cream”!
And in the end, she was with her dear and best friend, sister Claudia, the first person she knew at her beginning and the last at her end. We love you Claudia.
Martha’s contagious laughter, feisty nature, boundless energy, and love of life make her an example of a life well lived. We love you, Mom. We will miss you!
A celebration of Martha’s life will take place when we can all feel safe enough to hug one another!
Donations may be made in Martha’s memory to the charity of your choice.
Sympathy In Spirit
Please feel free to click here and upload a video condolence, or leave a heartfelt message of sympathy, through our Sympathy In Spirit program.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Martha (Robertson) Brown, please visit our floral store.