Martha Downey Hamilton, age 91, of Concord, NH, formerly of Concord, MA, died on February 8, 2025.

Born on July 2, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Hugh and Marion (Garvey) Downey. Martha was raised in Lowell. She was proud to be Valedictorian for her class of 1951 at Lowell High School. Subsequently, she continued her education at Wellesley College, graduating with an undergraduate degree in political science in 1955. Martha began her professional life in education as a Teacher for the Tewksbury and Winchester public school systems.

Martha was a dedicated mother to her children, John and Linda. As part of introducing both to skating and sailing, she founded the Boots & Blades skating program in Winchester, and was a member of the Winchester Boat Club, where she oversaw the sailing program.

At the age of 50, with her children both in high school, she pursued her passion for antique collecting and museum volunteer work and took the leap into the museum field. Her second career began with earning a master's degree in fine art from Boston University in 1983. She flourished and became well known and beloved in the American Museum and decorative arts fields. Invaluable early career experiences included doing a furniture internship with Brock Jobe as he completed the book New England Furniture. She also restored The Nathan Hosmer house and cabinet shop in Concord Mass for which she received the Massachusetts Historical Commission's Preservation Award in 1987. Martha pursued a career as an Antiques Dealer and Museum Curator, serving as Executive Director at North Andover Historical Society for several years. She was also the Americana Specialist at Skinner Auction for twenty-five years actively pursuing research, lecturing and publication in the American fine and decorative arts.

She devoted a tremendous amount of time and energy to museum governance and committee work, including positions at the Museum of Fine Arts, Strawberry Banke, Historic Massachusetts, and Historic New England. In 2013, she earned the Old Sturbridge Village's President's Award for bringing to the public meaning, relevance and inspiration through the exploration of New England life and history and for her scholarship having made a significant impact on the museum field. She commented at the time that this demonstrates that it is never too late to try something new.

Later in life, Martha's happy place was her summer home by water in West Falmouth, where she treasured the company of wonderful family and friends and the meaningful memories she made on Cape Cod.

Throughout her life she persevered, often with a wry sense of wit and frequent turn of phrase that got her and others through tough times with a chuckle. She also enjoyed athletic pursuits even when injuries put a limit on some. She valued close friendships in the various communities in which she lived and worked. In social settings she was quick to laugh and often the first on the dance floor, especially enjoying rock and roll.

Martha was a dedicated mother to her son, John Hamilton and his wife Krista Helmboldt, and her daughter, Linda Hamilton. She was the loving grandmother of Tess Hamilton.

Family and friends are invited to gather for a period of visitation in the Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord, MA on Friday, February 14 from 9:00 to 9:45 am. Her Funeral Mass will follow at 10:00 am in St. Bernard's Church at Holy Family Parish, 12 Monument Square, Concord Center. Burial will follow at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord.

In lieu of flowers, donations to honor Martha's memory and work may be made to Old Sturbridge Village , 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA 01566.

Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.

Martha Hamilton Remembrance by Son, John Hamilton

From our entire family, welcome. I can imagine Martha's big brown eyes and smile lighting up as each of you arrived here in Concord Mass or signed in online. I know she cherished her friendship with each of you.

One thing that stood out about Martha was her ability to make us feel welcomed and cared for. Even last week, when my mom was at Hospice, Carol, a caregiver, wrote to her and said, "We enjoyed caring for you, the same way you took care of us." Caring and being cared for is really what this moment is all about.

Many have commented on how much they learned in talking with Martha. This comes with her having lived a full life, yes, but also from 3 of her traits that reveal a juxtaposition: she was small but mighty, fashionable yet authentic, steeped in history, yet curious to learn.

She was small and slight but packed a lot of grit and determination. Her Catholic faith was a source of inner strength as she lay in the hospital for months with a broken back early in her life and when marriage came to an end at aged 74. She was fair but drove a hard bargain and was never one to let someone misunderstand her based on her size or age. One of the younger members of our family spoke up loudly once, while asking Martha a question; from his experience, people's hearing can be compromised as they age, and he wanted to include her in conversation. As one whose ears were still keen, before answering the question Martha clarified "I can hear you, I'm NOT deaf" sending us all into a hearty bout of laughter.

She earned the nickname "Lady Hamilton" reflecting her sparkle and eye for fashion. Yet was known for making meaningful connections with people. She was proper but brought a lot of spunk with her quick wit, easy laugh and infections joy. From her porch overlooking West Falmouth harbor she wove herself into that community. Those in the neighborhood lovingly refer to themselves as "the dirt road gang". Martha became part of the lore dancing late into the night, long past her late-70-year-old bedtime, and escapades such as a boat ride to Sippewisset when folks jumped into the flowing creek to "ride the tide" in their swimsuits. Though Martha did not have hers, she jumped in fully clothed, as she was never one to miss out on the fun.

She loved the past - American history, Americana furniture and Folk art. Yet she valued the younger generation and was open to learning new things throughout her life. When leading museums or serving museum boards, she helped them better engage and awaken a love of history in the younger generation. She earned the President's Award from Old Sturbridge Village for bringing to the public meaning, relevance and inspiration through the exploration of New England life and history. She was recognized for her scholarship having made a significant impact on the museum field.

Her first career was as a teacher in the public schools of Winchester and Tewksbury. Though her career transitioned, she was a teacher at heart and taught many of us. In recent years on the way to a Dr. appointment she said to me - 'you know Jonh, I so appreciate your help, and I am teaching you how to get old'. That she did. I feel so fortunate to have been such a big part of her life in this process of aging. There is a completeness I feel of having been so cared for by her in my early years and having the chance to do the same for her, in her later ones.

Her life can teach us that it is never too late to start something new. She was 50 when she went back to graduate school in Art History to begin her second career in museums and Americana. And more recently, she and her tablemates would often check-in with each other about "thinking outside the box". Noticing she always ate fish, Rich, one of her good friends, encouraged the trying of many new foods. After her first donut in 35 years, Rich asked "Well, Martha, what did you think?" "It was terrible… what really frustrated me is that I had a second." She reminds us that no matter how many years we have lived, there's always room for new experiences.

As we say goodbye, let's cherish what Martha taught us and the memories and laughs we were fortunate to share with her. Let's embrace curiosity, welcome others with warmth, and allow ourselves to be inspired by the truly fearless aspects of her spirit. One of the biggest lessons Martha taught us is that the best chapters may still be ahead.

Rest well, Martha. You will be carried in our hearts as we all move into our next chapters. We love you.