Obituary of Shirley F. Martin

Shirley Frances Martin, age 91, died April 26, 2025, after a long journey with Alzheimer’s disease.  Shirley was born in 1933 to Benjamin and Margaret (Brown) Pemberton and grew up in Hingham, Ma.  She was the wife of the late Lawrence W. Martin, Sr, with whom she moved to Plympton in 1963, and both became well-known in the town for being active participants in many community events, committees, and church activities. 

More than anything else, Shirley loved her family.  She is survived by her three children, Shirley Anne (Carlos) Paz, Larry Martin Jr., and Barbara (Kenneth) Morse, grandchildren Lauren (Todd) Becker, Nathan (Denise) Morse, Emily (Philippe) LeBlanc, Audra Martin, eleven great-grandchildren: Sofina, Ryan, Eric, Avery, William, Gavin, Bentley, Luke, MacKenzie, Alexandra and Benjamin, and several nieces and nephews.  In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her beloved brother Robert Pemberton, daughter-in-law Jeanne, and grandson Aaron.  

Shirley was trained and worked briefly as a hairdresser but through the years willingly practiced her skill mostly on family members.  She was also an exceptional seamstress, an avid reader, a great cook, baker and cake decorator.  Frequently, Shirley suggested taking shorts trips with her friends and family, whether it was simply to enjoy the weather and see the sights, shop, visit, or even attend open houses just to see what was on the inside.  She knew how to make life enjoyable.

Shirley had other short-term jobs through the years, such as working at Crystal Lake Greenhouses and as a Census taker, but she gave most of her energy to being a homemaker, and to service work through the church and town.  She valued the importance of being attentive to others, and cared for her husband, Larry, before his death, as well as her mother, and her mother’s sister, Nellie.

Shirley was well-loved for her sense of humor, easy-going nature, and ready smile.  She enjoyed many friendships, and was a welcoming hostess, always ready with a hot cup of tea and a baked sweet.   She was a faithful, generous, and sweet-tempered woman, and many, many people benefited from her big heart.  Each grandchild was celebrated by Shirley, soon known as Gigi, through large boxes of candy sent on their “Sweet16th” birthdays, cards for every holiday, parties, special dinners and just being together in family times.  It was always fun for the kids to get Shirley laughing with silly jokes or quirky stories.  

She will be deeply missed by her friends and family.  Stories of her joy, unique sense of humor, devotion, funny stories, love of cats, bright blue eyes and huge smile will be remembered through the generations who knew her.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 17th at the Plympton Congregational Church, 254 Main St. Plympton MA at 10:30am. Interment will directly follow at the Hillcrest Cemetery, Plympton. A celebration of her life will be held after the burial service at the Plympton Congressional Church Hall. 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to: Cranberry Hospice 36 Cordage Park Circle Suite 326, Plymouth MA 02360.