Martha Faith Oldham
Thu, 02/11/2021 - 3:34pm
Heraldgroton
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Martha Faith Oldham, Thursday, Feb-uary 4, 2021. Martha was born to Albert and Dorothy ( James) Oldham on November 13, 1957 in Camden, NJ. She attended the University of Illinois, Chicago where she completed a Master’s of Fine Arts and a Master’s of Art History.
She raised three sons in Groton while teaching art at a number of institutions including the Danforth Museum School and Franklin Pierce College, as well as watercolor classes out of her home. Her students would often paint her gardens, of which she was very fond. Her love of gardening led her to be a prominent member of the Groton Garden Club.
Lisa Murray, president of the Garden Club, in a message to members, wrote this about Martha, “Here are some of the ways she contributed to making Groton a more beautiful place through her work in the Garden Club: member since 1989 and awarded Life Membership in 2015; President from 2002-2004; Vice President and Auditor; Chair of the following committees - Plant Sale, Hollis Street Triangle, Programs, Prescott Common, Horticulture, Library Flowers. She also chaired the Boutwell Historic Garden Project. She was passionate about her gardens and often worked tirelessly in her friable soil while barefoot. She was always willing to share her vast garden knowledge and her many specialty plants with our members and at our Plant Sale.”
Ellen Todd wrote of Martha, “In addition to working on GGC projects, Martha was an accomplished artist. She instructed several of our members in her art classes.”
Martha is survived by her three sons: Jesse, Dr. Carlisle, and James Bascom; her two grand-daughters: Margaret and Geor- gia; her siblings: the Rev. John, David, and Mary Oldham, and her father the Rev. Albert Oldham.
Throughout her life Martha showed a love of animals, from her prize winning dogs in her youth to her love of rescue cats.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Ellen M. Gifford Cat Shelter, 30 Undine Road, Brighton, MA 02135.