Eleanor May Martin, 90, passed away on March 19, 2025 at Vantage of New Bedford. She was the daughter of Harry and Constance (Buchan) Martin of New Bedford and Mattapoisett..
A lover of animals (especially cats), flowers and all natural beauty, classical music and reading, Eleanor was raised in New Bedford and graduated from New Bedford High School. Her greatest love was of all things Mattapoisett, where her grandfather built a summer cottage for the family. In her younger days, Eleanor wrote articles about Mattapoisett and other subjects of interest to her. She also did illustrated travel lectures about the western states with her sister Betty.
Eleanor ran a small business in Fairhaven (The Dancing Cat) for many years making and selling handbags and totes. Predeceased by her sister Constance (Betty) Davin of Illinois, Eleanor was a warm, independent, always curious friend to those who knew her.
Thanks go out to the second floor staff at Vantage, the Hospice team from Fairhaven Community Nursing, the staff from Coastline Services and last but not least, the staff at the Mattapoisett Council on Aging, especially Elizabeth Leatham. A celebration of life will be held at a later date this Spring.
My name is Barbara (Booth) Bacchi and I have lived in Somerville Ma since 1945. I went to elementary school with Eleanor at the John Hannigan School. I remember her as a very friendly classmate who was very bright. She lived on Warren St. And I lived on Viall St. My sharpest memory of her was when, in kindergarten, she sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” for the class. We lost contact when I moved and I have no idea why I looked her up today. Moving away was traumatic for me and I have often reviewed my New Bedford memories.