Jennifer R. Martelli
Jennifer R. Martelli
Obituary
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Jennifer Martelli Obituary
And of course, her beloved Maria-the sweetest cat on earth. Though Jenn was never sure if there's an afterlife, she would love to see her Cosmo, Connie, and Dante again.
Jennifer was also a long-time member of Narcotics Anonymous, where over her 36 years clean, she forged great friendships. She passed with gratitude.
She was also devoted to progressive causes and cannot believe that this thing in the White House has outlived her.
But it was poetry and the writing community which enriched her life and gave her a sense of accomplishment. A proud member of "The Thursday Poets," Jennifer knew the power of community. In her time being a part of the North Shore writing community, her fellow poets meant the world to her. Of course, this spread beyond Salem.
(Jenn was a prolific and accomplished poet: www.jennmartelli.com )
A remembrance will be announced by the family in the coming weeks.
In lieu of flowers, send donations to either North Shore Animal Shelter or Planned Parenthood.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Donna Gigliello
November 9, 2025
God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Gina
October 9, 2025
My sincere sympathy to Vinnie, Mia and Michael and Joanie and Liz.
Jenn lived multiple iterations of life in one too short lifetime. From growing up Italian in Revere to our recovery community, marriage and parenting, her post smoking paddle boarding and fitness quest to her wonderful poetry and the amazing community she was a part of on the North Shore. She had the rare ability to speak to all of it and leave us with those written and spoken words. Never can I express the gratitude I have for all the love she showed to my children and our friends. During one of our beach days, in the frigid Rockport water, we were swimming out to the raft after Michael, Lucas and Adam. Looking at Jenn's shivering strokes, we knew the fierce love for our children. Had it not been for them, I don't think our feet would have been in that water! Rest in the peace of knowing you left us all better for having known you Jenn.
Leo McCarthy/Nancy Baynes
October 9, 2025
Vinnie, Mia, Michael, this tragic news has broken our hearts. Our deepest condolences to you and everyone Jenn's light has touched. She is one of those souls whose impact will forever help guide us. So proud to have been her friend.
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Michelle Poulen
October 3, 2025
Jenn was one of the women who gave me guidance & strength early in my recovery. I quote what she taught me often in my life still today. She will always remembered in my heart.
Sarah Netsky
October 2, 2025
Hanover Street on a Saturday night March '24
carla schwartz
October 1, 2025
Jenn what human you were, and your words live on. I send my sympathy to Michael, Mia, and all the rest of Jenn's family, and the world of folks Jenn touched with her poems, her love, and her stance for justice. (Carla Schwartz)
Joanna Clapps Herman
October 1, 2025
Jennifer and I were in a 100 word writing group for a while. She and I had maybe two phone calls during that time. There was a grace and clarity to her. I'm so sad that we've lost Jennifer. Joanna Clapps Herman
C. Timothy Gager
September 30, 2025
Jennifer championed causes, was a wonderful poet, and friend. What a fortunate world we were in with her in it.
Richard Hoffman
September 30, 2025
I loved her as a friend and fellow poet, and I admired her as a deeply human person who had been through the fire and come out a ferocious defender of decency. A woman of unshakeable integrity and nobody's fool.
Cynthia Bargar
September 30, 2025
I feel fortunate to have crossed paths with Jenn - a one-of-a-kind, extraordinary being who left much too soon. My heart goes out to her family and to everyone touched by her words, her spirit, her generosity, her love.
Lo
September 30, 2025
My condolences to Vinnie, Mia and Michael, especially. Jenn was a great inspiration to me and I always appreciated her feedback on my poems. I loved seeing her at I Am Books. She was an awesome poet and a great woman. She will be dearly missed and always remembered.
Stephanie Laterza
September 30, 2025
I extend my deepest condolences to all of Jennifer´s loved ones. I will cherish Jennifer´s memory, in poetry and life, having had the great privilege of knowing her.
Billy
September 30, 2025
Anytime I saw Jenn she put a smile on my face. I loved her honesty, humility and sense of humor. She made a difference in the world and will be truly missed.
Ginny Eydenberg Segee
September 30, 2025
I'm so sorry to hear of Jennifer's passing. My condolences to her family and friends.
Ron Petto
September 30, 2025
I knew Jennifer for close to 50 years. Always the smartest person in the room, but very down to earth. Last time I saw her was 2 years ago at a poetry reading in Ipswich. We had a few laughs & hugged goodbye. I never imagined they would be the last time.
The quality I admired the most about Jen is that no matter how accomplished & acclaimed she was, she never ever forgot where she came from.
You will be missed. Rest easy my friend.
christopher king
September 30, 2025
Rest in power, Jennifer Martelli:
After graduating college, I had the privilege of working for an incredible family in Marblehead as a Manny, spending 10 unforgettable years with them, surrounded by the love and guidance of two amazing parents and two fantastic kids, Michael and Mia. Their mother, Jennifer, was one of the most inspiring people I have ever met, with a fantastic sense of style, humor, and thought, and a talented published poet. Her sisters and family were equally enchanting, and I feel blessed to have had Jennifer as a friend for 22 years, playing a small shaping part in her life and family. My heart and love go out to her husband, Vinny, along with Michael, and Mia. I am always here for you.
You will be deeply missed by so many, Jenn.
- Christopher
Joseph Sardina
September 30, 2025
RIP Jennifer
Nancy Manganiello
September 30, 2025
My sincere condolences to the Martelli Family. I will miss Jennifer´s quick wit, intelligence & sense of fairness. She was an original.... Authentic in all she was. Truly a tremendous loss to all who knew her. I´m sorry
Rebecca Olander
September 30, 2025
Jenn spent time on what mattered - her family at the core, her friendships and community, protesting injustice, and her own work - and those were combined in ways that made poems that were real, fierce, funny, totally unique, and full of love. Hers was a life lived with integrity while being so very human, and so fun. She was a brilliant poet and champion of other poets, and both will live on since her support of others manifests in their work (true for me personally, and for the books she was part of choosing at the press I run, Perugia Press, where she was a reader), and she was so prolific in her own work. Then there are the ripples of goodness she made in community, and of change she made in resistance. And most of all her awesome children. All that is a kind of afterlife. My heart is with Vinny, Mia, and Michael and her sisters and whole family, with the family of poets she forged, of which I am so lucky and honored to be a part, and with Jenn. It´s hard to deal with this loss precisely because of how very excellent a human Jenn was, from the deep important stuff to the littler stuff - Who will hate mayonnaise with me in such solidarity? Who will cross bridges that scare her just to spend an afternoon together? But she was brave enough to face her end with grace and gratitude, so we have her example. I love you Jenn and will miss you forever. Sending love and care to all who feel that way - she created a wide, generous circle.
Lee Ann Alden
September 30, 2025
I am so incredibly sorry for the passing of Jenn. We grew up together as Colella cousins and always had so much fun at sleepovers, Christmas Eves, having Sunday dinner at Grandma's house and making up crazy spy games. We had lost touch a bit over the years and I am grateful to have reconnected through Facebook and other social media platforms. I have always been in awe at the amazing talent Jenn has and will miss her so much. Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies and prayers. Love Lee Ann and Bob
Michael McInnis
September 30, 2025
It was an honor and privilege to know Jenn, to publish her, and to read with her. I will miss her laugh and her magnificent Revere accent. My deepest condolences to Vinny, Mia, Michael and all her family and loved ones.
Sarah Netsky
September 29, 2025
I will remember the countless Saturday evenings of IAWA I shared with her since 2018--and she played a key role in helping continue this cherished monthly ritual throughout the darkest days of COVID via zoom. Her own writing was also of course wry, serious, and full of passion all at once.
Meg Smith
September 29, 2025
Me and Jenn at the Town and the City Festival at lala books, in Lowell, Mass., where I live. She was to feature at this year's Poe in Lowell Festival, where will be sure to honor her great spirit and poetic legacy. Sending much love to everyone who knew and loved her.
Vicki Iorio
September 29, 2025
I am so sorry. Jenn was an amazing poet and human.
Thomas DeFreitas
September 29, 2025
I shall always marvel at the conscientious, bold, unfaltering artistry of Jennifer's poems. I admire the passion and the candour she brought both to poetry and to political commitments. But above all, I'm grateful for her many kindnesses to me, for an embracing compassion to which many of us can testify. My deepest sympathies to Jennifer's family and loved ones.
Tracey Ranauro
September 29, 2025
She was the writer, I am not but I will give it my best.
We were best friends since the second grade. We were best friends in junior high. And remained great friends until this day.
In elementary school we thought we were witches and cast spells by putting orange juice in those little flower stem holders and made friends drink it. We made candles in my basement and performed seances in hers. In high school, whenever I had guy problems, she was always the first person I´d call. Oh, and our adventurous trip to New York City for New Year Eve!
We shared countless laughs, from elementary to high school, to college years and beyond. I could fill pages with the funny stories between us, and even some that included my brother Scott.
Whenever a boy/guy broke our hearts, the first thing we´d ask each other was, "But... do you think he´ll call?" And, being the best friends we were, the answer was always, "Oh yeah!"
Certain phrases will always bring her back to me like "ready to go," will always make me laugh. Remembering the time she used me as an excuse with her parents-until her boyfriend walked into her house and casually said, "Ready to go."
When she got married I was so honored when she asked me to do wedding makeup.
Years later I was again honored when she stood by me as a bridesmaid at my wedding, and to this day I regret raising my voice at her and Scott for having a cigarette inside, worried the smoke might cling to my dress. Every anniversary, we laugh about it.
Jenn also gave me one of my first creative opportunities. She had trusted me to design the cover for her chapbook Apostrophe by photographing the stone pillars at Preston Beach and later, she chose one of my photos for the cover of her book The Uncanny Valley.
Looking back, I still don´t know exactly why we became fast friends. She was brilliant and constantly reading, while I was an average student but somehow, we clicked. And for that, I will always be grateful. Ours was a friendship that lasted 56 years-a gift I will cherish forever. Jennifer Martelli I will love you forever.
Margherite Caracappa Matteis
September 29, 2025
I met Jen through Julia, my dear friend. I saw her co-host at IAMBooks. She was so sweet. At the open mic, she asked me to read even though I am not a poet. I am glad I bought one of her poetry books. She wrote a small note in it and signed her name. May she rest in peace. Margherite Caracappa Matteis
E. Sylvia
September 29, 2025
My heart goes out to all who knew and loved Jenn. She was fierce, and funny, and wise, and wonderful in so many ways.
Randy Comito
September 29, 2025
I will remember her kindness when I was a newcomer to recovery. We served together at area and she was always a patient guardian. All my love and respect forever.
marylou defreitas
September 29, 2025
GOD REST HER SOUL~!! I am very sorry for your loss..
My son Tom DeFreitas was in awe of her..
Prayers going to the family.. She will always be in your heart..
MaryLou{LuLu} DeFreitas
Ron Petto
September 29, 2025
Andrew McCloy
September 29, 2025
I am so glad to have met Jenn. My thoughts and prayers to Vinny and his children.
Robin Lynne Stratton
September 29, 2025
We are all devastated by this loss... the world is sadder... gloomier... much less poetic. We will miss Jenn forever and ever, she made everything fun.
Rebecca Kinzie Bastian
September 29, 2025
Jennifer will be as missed as she was loved. I was so honored to work with her on two of her books of poetry. Working with her was remarkable. Rarely have I encountered a talented person with so much grace and humility and joy. I didn´t get to know her as well as I would have liked, but I loved her, as did countless other people, because of her involvement in the poetry community and the messages of her books. She will not be forgotten .
Steven Ciambelli
September 29, 2025
So sorry to hear of Jennifer´s passing , my prayers of comfort go out to her entire family..
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142 Elm Street, Marblehead, MA 01945
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