Martha Jane Willson

Martha Willson of Hingham, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on February 6th at the age of 70, surrounded by loved ones.

Born and raised in Hingham, Martha was deeply adored by her parents, Paul and Madelyn Willson. Her father especially encouraged her to participate fully in his projects, instilling in her a sense of pride, teamwork, and purpose that remained throughout her life.

Martha was proud of her life.

Proud of who she was. Proud of who she became. She built a life rooted in faith, loyalty, laughter, and the small, thoughtful details that made people feel remembered.

She gave fifteen years of service to the Hingham Public Library, offering her time with the same warmth she gave so freely everywhere else. She was also proud of her involvement in Special Olympics and her time at Friendship Home, where she formed lasting friendships and embraced community with joy and determination. At church, she volunteered with the children and quickly became a favorite. She didn’t just teach — she connected. Her church community meant everything to her. It wasn’t simply where she worshipped; it was where she belonged.

Martha’s life was made up of beautiful chapters.

One of those chapters was her time living with the Cini girls. What began as sharing a home grew into something much deeper. Their house was filled with Greek music, late-night dancing in the kitchen, and food that felt like it came straight from a festival. There were long talks, loud laughter, and nights that stretched well past bedtime. They didn’t just live together — they grew up together, maturing side by side and leaving permanent marks on one another’s hearts.

In the last decade of her life, another joyful chapter unfolded as she explored the South Shore with her dear friend Soni. Martha believed every outing was an occasion. Whether it was coffee, a car ride, or a simple afternoon adventure, she was ready to get “gussied up.” She never quite understood why people didn’t dress up anymore. Life, to her, was worth showing up for. With Soni, she found steady companionship, shared laughter, and the comfort of simply doing life together — including caring for their beloved cat, Minnie Pearl, who brought her endless joy and gentle company.

Of all her roles, Martha was most proud to be an aunt and great-aunt to 13 nieces and nephews. Known lovingly as “Auntie Meatball” — as Austin and Melina called her — she was a constant and joyful presence in their lives. She was the best teammate in any game and proudly held the unofficial title of “Assistant Camp Counselor to Camp Nana.” She never missed a birthday, concert, or awards ceremony. If a niece or nephew had a game, Martha was there — cheering the loudest and celebrating every moment. She loved Halloween and embraced it fully, delighting in dressing up and carrying on the tradition year after year. She gave thoughtful, generous gifts and found joy in making others feel special. Martha was the aunt who got down on the floor to play and loved each child wholeheartedly.

Her pride lived in the details.

Her home reflected the seasons because she believed each one deserved to be celebrated. Everything had its place. Her drawers were folded tighter and neater than anyone else’s — and she knew it. When she learned to bake, she baked for everyone. She never forgot a holiday, anniversary, or birthday. Cards were thoughtfully chosen and faithfully sent. She took pride in remembering people. No one felt overlooked in Martha’s world.

She loved to look at someone and say, “Handsome!” She would smile and ask, “Isn’t he Cunning?” And if things got a little out of hand, she’d quickly say, “OH, Cut it out.” She believed in getting dressed up — and believed even more in showing up.

And then there was “Deanie Weanie” — her chosen brother through friendship. Technically her best girlfriend’s brother, but in Martha’s book that absolutely counted as family. She claimed him fully. He was her favorite jokester, always ready with a comment that would make her laugh. The minute he walked into a room, her face would light up. If Martha was laughing a little louder than usual, you probably didn’t have to look far — Dean was likely nearby.

For more than 65 years, Martha shared a remarkable friendship with Maria — a bond that was sister-like in every way. They spent nearly every day together, sharing faith, responsibilities, traditions, and the ordinary moments that make up a life. Martha stood faithfully alongside Maria as she raised her children, offering steady support and love through every season. As the family grew, she remained closely woven into their daily lives, embracing each new generation with the same devotion and pride.

Together, they looked forward to one big trip each year — a tradition they cherished. There were many trips to Disney, cruises through the Panama Canal, adventures to Nova Scotia, and exploring the streets of New Orleans, to name a few. Together, they saw the world, building memories rooted in loyalty, laughter, and adventure.

Martha was the kind of friend you could count on without question — kind, genuine, and steadfast.

She held deep gratitude for “James L.,” Maria’s husband, who introduced her to Jesus and lovingly filled a big-brother role in her life, shaping her faith in meaningful ways.

Above all, Martha would want to be remembered for her kindness. For her love of Jesus. For helping raise her nieces and nephews as if they were her own. For her cooking, her baking, her beautifully folded drawers, her decorated home, her holiday cards, and her deep love for family and community.

She was proud of her life — and rightly so.

Because it was a life beautifully lived.

A celebration of Martha’s life will be held at House of Prayer Lutheran Church, 916 Main Street, Hingham, Massachusetts 02043, on February 14th at 10:00 a.m.Refreshments will follow the service. Burial will be private and at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made directly to the church in Martha’s name.

In honor of Martha’s vibrant spirit, we encourage her loved ones to wear bright, joyful colors and their “jazziest” jewelry — she loved bold color and believed life was meant to be celebrated.