ORONO – Martha Elizabeth Mary Whitmore, 89, passed away on April 22, 2021. Martha was born in South Portland on Jan. 1, 1932, the daughter of George and Vera (Mulligan) Whitmore. She was the first New Year’s baby.

Martha attended South Portland High School (where she was affectionately known as “Mike”) and then went on to Endicott College. Years later, she returned to the University of Maine to earn a degree in Social Welfare. She worked as a social worker for a non-profit law office in Portland and later as an adult caregiver until retirement. Even after retirement, she continued to advocate for those around her who she felt were not getting the attention or care they deserved.

Most important to Martha was family. She grew up in a time when extended family lived and celebrated life together. That was the world she cherished and what fed her heart and soul. The Irish combination of stubbornness, charm, and warmth that she possessed made for spirited relationships.

Martha’s favorite pastime was sewing, eventually turning to craft sewing and selling her items at small shops and fairs. She always had a quilt project in the works and enjoyed giving them as gifts of love and appreciation. She also loved to paint, whether it was walls or fine detailed furniture. No surface was spared, and the results were always beautiful.

Those who knew her will undoubtedly recall her love of games. Bocce, Scrabble, Cribbage and Quiddler were some of her favorites. She never lost her competitive edge and was a formidable opponent.

Her love of family will live on in us forever, her quilts will be cherished, and we will always “deal her in” at the table.

Martha was predeceased by her parents George and Vera Whitmore; her sisters Lillian Soule and Dianne Gooley; her son, Stephen Woodsum; and her nephew, David Soule.

She is survived by her son, Mark (Claire) Woodsum of Mission Viejo, Calif., her daughters Joanne (Peter) Van der Eb of Brooksville and Katherine Smith of Orono, and her daughter-in-law, Lesley Woodsum of Center Conway, N.H.; her grandchildren Anisa, Stephanie (Chris), Nathan (Amy Lin), Paige (Nate), Zoe, Audrey, Kenneth, Marina (Anthony), Hannah, Schuyler (Ashlee), Adrian, and Maggie; her great-grandchildren Liam, Kaylee, Melody, Lindee, Emmett, Owen, Caroline, Ava, and Mia; her niece, Nancy (Dix) Druce and nephews Bill (Jenny) Soule and Christopher (Erin) Soule; her brother-in-law, Bruce Gooley; niece, Kathleen Doan and nephew, George Gooley.

A family celebration of life will be held at a later date.

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