Martha Jean Martin

Martha Jean (Donaghey) Martin, 76, of New Haven, CT, passed away suddenly on November 27, 2025, while visiting her son in California. She was surrounded by loved ones.
Born on September 9, 1949, Martha was the beloved daughter of Joseph and Ruth Donaghey. She grew up in Canton, MA, with her six siblings, Kathy, Fran, Patty, JoAnn, Barbie, and Michael. After losing both their sister Patty and their mother at an early age, Martha helped look after her younger siblings.
When she was eighteen, Martha met Ted Martin at a dance. They soon married and lived on Westover Air Force Base with their children, Laura and Greg. After moving to Newington, CT, Martha worked the late shift at a transportation company, so she could care for her children during the day. She eventually began working as a legal secretary at several law firms in Hartford.
Martha loved music and listened to the "oldies" station at night in the kitchen, harmonizing on Beatles songs. She also loved reading, writing poetry, and taking care of animals. On more than one occasion she brought home stray cats when she already had pets at home. Martha had a beautiful voice and enjoyed performing with her siblings at holiday events.
Each fall, the Martin family went to Eastham, Cape Cod – home to some of their happiest memories – eating fried clams at Arnold's, going to the Wellfleet Drive-in, bodysurfing at Nauset Light Beach, and telling ghost stories around the fire.
Martha parted ways with Ted after her children left for college. In 2000, she moved to New Haven, CT, with her partner Johnny Parris. She helped him manage his business, Act One Entertainments, booking gigs for musicians. Martha also began working as an Executive Assistant / Front Desk Manager at the Bradley Home in Meriden, a residential living and care facility for seniors. It was her dream job, and she was very committed, commuting an hour each way. The residents loved her, and she loved them. Martha took the time to get to know everyone, including her colleagues.
After Johnny's passing in 2010, Martha stayed in New Haven. She shared a dog (Benny) with her friend Bill Murphy, and their relationship grew stronger with time. They loved their pets, storytelling, laughing, and traveling. Bill was Martha's loving partner for over 14 years – until her passing.
One of Martha's special gifts was making people feel seen and heard. She made you feel like you were the most important person in the room, and her positivity and excitement for life were contagious. Martha also had a great sense of humor and made everyone laugh. Her bright voice was often mistaken for that of a much younger person and was perfect for reading to little kids. Martha was kind, funny, smart, empathetic, and hardworking.
Martha loved being a grandmother ("Bubby") to Scarlett Buckman. She was always there for concerts, recitals, and hockey games and was very proud of her. She was also an ever-present guiding light for her nieces and nephews.
Martha leaves behind her children, Laura Buckman and Greg Martin, her granddaughter Scarlett, son-in-law Bill Buckman, loving partner Bill Murphy, dog Freddy, cat Bella; her sisters, JoAnn Rienzie and Barbie Costa; her brother, Michael Donaghey; her brothers-in-law, John Griffin and Kenny Rienzie; her sister-in-law, Eileen Donaghey; her nieces and nephews, Maggie, Peter and David Salzberg, Betsy Griffin Foster, Nancylee Griffin, Michelle, Ruth, and Faith Donaghey, Nicole and Adam Rienzie; and their children.
She was predeceased by her amazing sisters, Fran Griffin, Kathy Salzberg, and Patty Donaghey, her former partner Johnny Parris, and her great nephew Grayson Foster.
Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, December 12, at Duksa Family Funeral Home at Newington Memorial (20 Bonair Ave., Newington, CT) and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 13, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church (872 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, CT), with a mass to follow at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Martha's memory to the Connecticut Humane Society at www.cthumane.org.
While her sudden departure leaves us aching, Martha's light and way of being there for people continue to guide us. Rest in peace, Marthie; you made the world a better place, and we miss you more than words can say.