Martha (Welch) Atchley

LAKEVILLE — Martha  (Welch) Atchley, 91, a longtime resident of Lakeville, died  May 8, 2010, after a very brief illness.

Martha was born Dec. 4, 1918, in Westfield, N.Y.,  the daughter of Mary Babcock and Paul Welch. Her grandfather was Charles Welch, of Welch’s Grape Juice  fame.

Martha was a 1941 magna cum laude graduate of Vassar College, and later received a master’s degree in social work from The New York School of Social Work. She spent 26 years as a social worker on the gynecological cancer floor at the Memorial Sloane Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan.

During her years in the Northwest Corner, she was actively involved with Planning and Zoning in implementing the first zoning regulations; the Board of Education; and working with Hospice and the board of the Salisbury Visiting Nurse Association.

Martha was a lover of nature, an avid gardener, a birdwatcher, a reader and a pianist. She was a devoted mother, grandmother and dog owner.

Prior to and during her retirement, she enjoyed weekly French classes and traveled frequently, including to Egypt, China and France.

She was predeceased by a daughter, Susan Atchley; and her younger sister, Ann.

She is survived by her two sons, John Atchley, and his wife, Linda Sloane, and Peter Atchley, and his wife, Ruth Green; and by four grandchildren, Samantha, John (BJ), Sacha and Dylan; and her older sister, Barbara.

Her intelligence, love of life, open arms and keen sense of humor will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

A private memorial service will be held at her home at a later date.

Donations may be made in her name to Hospice of Salisbury Visiting Nurse Association, 30A Salmon Kill Road, Salisbury, CT 06068.

Arrangements are under the care of the Kenny Funeral Home in Sharon.

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