Martha Rogers Hewitt

I came into this world on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1927 in North Brookfield, Massachusetts. My parents were Ruth Ann Fullam and Kendall Rogers. Despite spoiling Thanksgiving dinner, I was warmly accepted by my older sister, Ann and my Grandparents, Nellie Goodwin and William Fullam.  Because of the Great Depression which was right around the corner, my sister and I moved in with my Grandparents and we lived there the rest of our school lives. My “brothers” were my two cousins, Bill and John Krusell. I wanted to be a pilot. I was surrounded by Aunts, Uncles and loving neighbors. In High School, during World War II, I wanted to go to college to be a builder. My Grandfather owned a lumber yard in North Brookfield but, alas, girls didn’t do those things. There were only two things that scared me. Lighting the furnace down cellar at my Grandparent’s home and being a part of a Civil Defense group that climbed to the highest floor of a building in North Brookfield to watch for enemy planes.

At the end of the war, I met Robert Bellows and we had a daughter, Katherine (Greg). Two years later I met William Dilger and we had Susan (John), Elizabeth, Dianne, Christopher (Catherine) and Ruth Ann (Jerry). My children all grew up under the same roof and it was hectic! Then came the Vietnam war, social turmoil and women’s rights.

I have always been an assertive, frank spoken New Englander with a Hallmark laugh that was all mine.  I was known as a cherished “good scout” by all who knew me. I became seriously involved with social issues important to me such as Human Rights, racial equality, Civil Rights, Women’s rights and various local issues that needed a voice.

My Grandchildren are John Paul, Eric, Rebecca, John Jr., Joshua, Megan, Christopher, Cory, Kyle, Travis, Benjamin, Justin and Emily.

I married Ollie Hewitt, traveled and bird watched everywhere we went. I loved to oil paint with the ocean being my favorite subject. I was blessed to see the world and enjoyed my Golden Years. His daughter Eleanor would become a great friend and support up to my passing.  Add Virginia and Nancy and our lives were very busy.

My Grandchildren gave me Great Grandchildren. Liam, Finleigh, Brionna, Diya, Andrea, Penelope M., Brady, Penelope D. and Phoenix.

Life is not fair and I developed Dementia. This was a tough pill to swallow and over time I recorded my memories with Elizabeth to share.  I left this world knowing I was loved by many on  November 22, 2021. I was the last surviving student in my Senior Class at North Brookfield High School. I realize that Dementia is very difficult and each of my friends and family chose to say goodbye in their own way. There was a family viewing on November 28, 2021 at Perkins Funeral Home. I leave you with a Celtic blessing and a good life. I am now free and going home.

Micky, Martha, wife, mother and friend.