Martha Gauvin

Dedicated Nurse, Counselor, Loving Wife, Mother, Sister, and Friend, Martha (Matilainen) Gauvin, 74, of Westminster, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on November 7, 2025, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston after a courageous fight with a long illness.

Born to the late Waino “Whitey” and Marion “Skippy” (Skamarycz) Matilainen, Martha’s life was marked by compassion, resilience, and a deep commitment to helping others. She was the beloved wife of Albert J. Gauvin Jr., with whom she shared 55 wonderful years of marriage.

Martha was a 1969 graduate of Oakmont Regional High School and later earned her LPN from Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School in 1980. Continuing her education, she received her Bachelor of Arts in Addiction Counseling and her Master’s degree in Psychology through the University Without Walls program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Her professional life was devoted to caring for others. She worked as an addiction counselor at the former Naukeag Hospital,  as a nurse at Leominster Homestead, Veteran Victory Farm in New Hampshire, Armistice Homestead, and Hero Homestead, all of which are  part of Veterans Homestead Inc. Martha spent the remainder of her career as a hospice nurse with the Veterans Hospice Homestead in Fitchburg, MA, and Puerto Rico, where she led a dedicated team committed to providing compassionate care to veterans in their final days. She was a member of the Special Education Parent Advisory Council, as well as Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. Her tireless service touched countless lives.

Martha deeply treasured the time spent with her family and friends, whose love and encouragement gave her the strength to face life’s challenges. She loved traveling, backpacking through Europe, spending time at “The Camp” and the beach, camping, cooking and reading.

She is survived by her husband, Albert; her daughter, Amy Abbott; her cherished grandchildren, Alex Gauvin, Malakai Gauvin, Gavin Abbott and Luke Gauvin; her sisters, Anne Halliday and Jane Schulz; her brothers, Michael Matilainen and John Matilainen; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and her beloved son, Adam J. Gauvin.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon, MA, on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at 1 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Martha’s memory to Alyssa’s Place, 297 Central Street, Gardner, MA 01440. Please indicate “In Memory of Martha Gauvin”.

Martha will be remembered for her warmth, compassion, and unshakable devotion to those she served and loved. Her spirit and kindness will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. The family would also like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff at Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute for their exceptional care and compassion.