Martha L. Burdick

We are greatly saddened by the passing of our sister, aunt and friend, Martha L. Burdick, who died Sept. 2 from complications due to lung cancer. Two of her sisters were by her side, as was Fred, the resident cat at Merriman House. She was 61 years old. Martha fought a valiant fight, having arrived from Seattle in April to live her final months with her sisters, brother-in-law and nephew.

Martha was born Dec. 23, 1952, the third of what became a family of six children. An extremely shy child, Martha proved to be of brilliant mind, sometimes a blessing and sometimes a curse. Her intellect was matched by her heart. She struggled for all of her adult life with mental illness. Her dedication to the welfare of animals, children and the less fortunate became her buoy in the turbulent sea of life.

Martha graduated from UNH and worked as a journalist for several years. She later worked as an independent editor. In the latter part of her life, she worked tirelessly with spay and neuter efforts for dogs and cats.

We, as her family, were greatly enriched by Martha’s influence in our lives. We miss her sorely but know that she is now free from the bounds of her illness.

Martha is survived by her sisters, Jane E. Duggan of Bartlett, N.H., Belinda A. Pennett of East Conway, N.H., and Julie A. Sauer of Nashville, Tenn. She is also survived by her four nieces, one nephew and one grand-nephew as well as her loving cousins.

She is predeceased by her mother, Faye H. Pennett; father, Monroe A. Burdick; her brothers, David E. Montgomery and Stephen M. Burdick; and nephew, Will Duggan; as well as many well-loved dogs and cats.

If so inspired, please consider a donation to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center at www.fredhutch.org or the Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project at www.feralcatproject.org.