Martha was born on March 20, 1944 to John and Jane Hammond Beck of Manchester, NH. She left this world on New Year’s Day 2021 after several years of battling Alzheimer’s Disease. At the time, she was residing in Lanesborough, MA with her son Thomas and his partner Cassie Cory and her sons William and Isaac who cared for her with endless kindness and love.
Martha, known as Muffy, attended school in Manchester, graduating from Central High School in 1962. She did post-graduate work at Kents Hill School in Readfield, Maine.
She met and married Thomas Fahey Jr. and lived in Dalton, MA where they had five children:
Martha (John Schwaikert), Jennifer (John Gigliotti), Pamela (Terrin Blondell), Moira (Chris Zacharakis), and Thomas III (Cassie Cory).
Her grandchildren include Emma Schwaikert, John Schwaikert, Francesca Gigliotti, Nick Lewis (Sienna Frye), Daniel DeCelles, Alex DeCelles, Liam Zacharakis, and Ariella Zacharakis.
Great grandchildren include Brooklynn Lewis and Chase DeCelles. Chase’s mother, Candus Young, was also a devoted and compassionate presence in Muffy’s life.
Close and treasured friends include Don Betit, Judith LeVardi, Marjorie Noble, Mark Appleton, Roger Davenport, Pam and Don Brennan and life-long friend and cousin, Marcia De Santis.
Her sister Jane (John Kelleher) lives in Key West, Florida where Muffy enjoyed visiting. Muffy also leaves Jane’s children, John Faggiano of Hampton, NH and James Faggiano of Edina, MN, her nearly 100 year old Uncle, Henry Beck, who resides in Santa Rosa, CA and her aunt Susanne Hammond of New London, NH. She was predeceased by her former husband, father, mother and step-father, William Hendrix.
Martha was an avid reader and worked in several bookstores in the area. She also worked at the McGee Unit at Berkshire Medical Center for many years. Anyone who knew Muffy knew of her love of animals. She rescued any animal in need. Friends and family were required to stop for any injured animal while driving with Muffy. In later years, she traveled the world with good friends and family and beautifully photographed her adventures. Her humor, her beauty, her compassion with be missed by all.
Final arrangements will be handled by the DERY-FOLEY FUNERAL HOME, 890 E. Main St. Dalton, Massachusetts. Due to Covid restrictions, a Celebration of Life will be held later in the spring. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sonsini Animal Shelter, 875 Crane Avenue, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
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