1948 – 2015

FARMINGTON — Martha J. McDonald, 66, of Farmington, died peacefully late Friday, May, 22, surrounded by her loving family at Franklin Memorial Hospital.

Martha was born 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. 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; stepgrandchildren, Isabella, Sophia, Jibryne, Dustin and Kayla; great-grandchildren, Brady, Ember, Jenna and 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 and Penny Morrell of Limington; two sisters-in-law, Erma Thorndike of Farmington and Elizabeth Bouchard and her husband, Leo, of Millinocket; and many nieces, nephews and countless close friends, whose friendship she cherished.

She was predeceased by her husband; parents; siblings, Gladys Comstock, Victor Thorndike and Richard Thorndike; an infant sister; and close family friend, Kendall Burdin.

Tributes and condolences may be shared by visiting www.wilesrc.com.

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