SOUTH THOMASTON — Martha Francis Carlson, 98, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2025. 

Born on November 28, 1926, she was the beloved daughter of Ida Bell Gray Hoyle and Henry Rupert Hoyle, both of whom preceded her in death.

Martha is survived by her loving daughters, Cathy Carlson of Sanibel Island, Florida, Cindy Gregory of South Thomaston, Maine, and Candy Thompson of Chelsea, Maine.

She was predeceased by her cherished daughter, Christine Hansen of Owls Head, Maine; and her devoted husband of 66 years, George Marshall Carlson.

Martha grew up in Upton, Massachusetts, and after graduating high school, she began working at a bank in Worcester, Mass. It was there that fate intervened — Martha met her future mother-in-law, who introduced her to her son, George, a World War II veteran. Their love story began, and they married on June 7, 1946, building a life together filled with love and family.

A dedicated homemaker, Martha devoted herself to raising her four daughters and assisting her husband with his business. After George retired, they embraced the joys of seasonal living — spending winters on Sanibel Island, Florida, and summers at their home in Caratunk, Maine, before settling permanently in South Thomaston, in the early to mid-1990s.

Even in retirement, Martha remained active, working part-time at a florist creating beautiful arrangements. She had a profound love for gardening, nurturing plants and flowers with a special touch.

Beyond her green thumb, she was deeply involved in her community — volunteering at local schools, cooking for Lions Club meetings, and participating in various local events.

Martha’s artistic talents extended beyond gardening; she was passionate about pottery, particularly hand-built projects, and was an accomplished seamstress. She created quilts for her grandchildren, sewed her own clothes, and made exquisite wall hangings.

She also had an adventurous spirit, traveling with George to Sweden, Tahiti, on an Alaskan cruise, and to California, where she attended a live taping of The Price is Right with Bob Barker in the early 1970s, though she was not selected to Contestant’s Row.

A lifelong lover of the outdoors, Martha enjoyed camping trips with her family, taking long walks to the river, and socializing at the community center. Her back porch was her sanctuary, where she spent time with her beloved pets, especially her cats.

Friendship was an essential part of Martha’s life. After George’s passing, she built new friendships, becoming involved with the local library and community center. She relished luncheons, birthday celebrations, and playing cribbage with dear friends who remained by her side through life’s ups and downs. Even as she grew less mobile, her friends ensured she remained active, driving her to social gatherings and lifting her spirits with their unwavering support.

Martha leaves behind a legacy of love, family, and cherished memories. She will be dearly missed by her daughters, grandchildren, and countless friends who were blessed to know her.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Peoples United Methodist Church on Chapel Street in South Thomaston. Friends and family are invited to honor and remember a truly remarkable woman who touched so many lives.

To share a memory or condolence with Martha’s family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com. Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.