Martha Ann Rainville

WESTMINSTER – Martha Ann (Thomas) Rainville, 73, passed away Sunday, Oct. 13, with her children holding her hands.

Martha never lost her spirit and stayed positive until the end, despite health issues in recent years, including lung cancer.

She was raised in Easthampton MA, the only child of David Thomas of Sterling, NJ, and Mary (Lynn) Thomas, of Easthampton. She was a 1969 graduate of Easthampton High School. She married Michael W. “Chipper” Rainville, of Heath, in 1970, at town hall, wearing their streetclothes.

Their journey together began when she picked him up hitchhiking. He loved to tease her about that, though they’d already known each other through friends - but didn’t start dating until then. Their ride lasted until Mike left this world in 2005. Martha never remarried, explaining that he was her one-and-only. They moved to Westminster in 1973, buying a “starter home” in Leino Park, and fell in love with the lakeside neighborhood and its residents. They decided to spend the rest of their lives there.

After a decade of trying to have children, Dave was born in 1982, and Katie joined them in 1983. Martha considered herself lucky to be a stay-at-home mother. She volunteered at her children’s school and extracurriculars, as well as St. Edward’s Church and the Forbush Memorial Library, where was a trustee, and many other roles in her communities.

After they were grown, Martha earned an Associate of Liberal Arts degree at Mount Wachusett Community College, where she went on to work, starting in the Academic Support Center and retiring from the Adult Basic Education program. She especially enjoyed working with students.

Martha taught herself to be an exceptional cook and baker. She loved to feed her family and friends, always sending them home with too many cookies at Christmastime. She adored her grandson, River, born in 2015 to David and former partner Erica Gammon. She always looked forward to their next visit. Katie married Josh Savage in 2015. Martha and Josh loved to razz each other, and he was always quick to lend a hand when she needed.

Martha had an active social life, and also enjoyed quiet time at home. She loved reading, and spending time with her dog, Chloe, and cats Finny and Tigerlilly. Though she hadn’t picked up a brush in a while, Martha was a talented painter. She sewed her kids’ Halloween costumes for years, and had recently picked up quilting.

Martha leaves behind her children, Kathryn (Josh) Savage of Westminster and David Rainville of Greenfield, grandson River Gammon-Rainville, several close extended family members, many good friends, and her cherished pets.

A celebration of Martha’s life will be held from 6 p.m. to close, Sat. Nov. 23, at the Westminster VFW, 3 Eaton St., Westminster, MA. A church service will be held at 11 a.m. Sat, Nov. 2 at St. Edward the Confessor, 10 Church St., Westminster, MA.

Kevin J. Mack, Walter C. Taylor, Melissa A. McQuaid, Funeral Directors.