1916 – 2014

AUBURN — Martha C. Goodwin, 98, a resident of The Chapman House in Auburn, died Thursday, May 22, at the Androscoggin Hospice House; her daughter, son and daughter-in-law were with her.

Born Jan. 21, 1916, in Portland, Martha was a daughter of Francis Leslie Merkle and Martha (Robertson) Merkle. A 1934 graduate of Livermore Falls High School, she married Bertram O. Goodwin, also of Livermore Falls. She was a homemaker and later worked for the newly established Livermore Falls Shoe Co.

In 1955, she moved to West Paris, where she owned and operated Trap Corner Store for a number of years. She then worked as a fancy stitcher at B.E. Cole Shoe in Norway. In the late 1960s, Martha and her daughter moved to Auburn, where she worked for Shapiro Shoe. In the 1970s, after attending night school, she worked in the office of International Shoe Machinery as an administrative assistant.

Martha was an excellent self-taught seamstress and created amazing clothing, knitting, fine needlework and crafts. She took a tailoring class, adding that to her sewing accomplishments. She often took on special projects for a local tailor at Benoit’s Clothing.

After retiring, she made craft items sold in gift shops and at fairs. She had a small number of private clients for whom she created entire wardrobes. Martha lived a long and productive life; after divorcing, she supported both of her children, making it possible for them to obtain college educations.

Martha enjoyed bowling, gardening, cooking, crossword puzzles and she loved cats, especially her “grand cats,” Sharon’s Ying and Yang. She belonged to the Red Hat Ladies and several seniors groups. One and all enjoyed her marvelous sense of humor.

In 2012, she moved to The Chapman House, where she was living at the time of her death. She passed away while under the wonderful and loving care of the staff at the Androscoggin Hospice House.

She is survived by her daughter, Sharon Cresci, of Auburn; son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Sally Goodwin, of Fly Creek, N.Y.; grandsons, Geoffrey Goodwin and Jocelyn Gould of Framingham, Mass., and Thomas Goodwin of Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.; plus several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her sisters, Florence Merrill of Livermore and Carol Hamel of Chisholm; and brothers, Francis R. Merkle of Livermore Falls and George Merkle of Naples.

Messages of condolence may be sent to www.finleyfuneralhome.com.