Stow – Lois A. (Zona) Martin, 65, a resident of Kingston for 39 years and more recently of Stow, died peacefully Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012, at Concord Health Care Center.
Born in Boston, the daughter of Alice M. Walsh and the late Pasquale “Pat” J. Zona, she graduated from Braintree High School, Class of “64, and from UMass Amherst Kappa Delta Pi and Phi Kappa Phi, Class of “68.
She is survived by her loving husband of 43 years, Clifford D. Martin, formerly of Northborough; two sons, Keith D. Martin and his wife, Lisa, of Westborough and David P. Martin and his wife, Alison, of Hudson; three grandchildren, Kevin, Rachel, and Trevor; her mother, Alice M. Zona of East Sandwich; her sister, Jacqueline P. Coffman and her husband, Steve of Alexandria, Va.; her brother, Joseph J. Zona and his wife, Meredith, of Arlington; and aunt, Santa Zona of Quincy.
Mrs. Martin was first and foremost a loving, , and devoted wife, mom, and grammy. She cherished every moment she had with her grandchildren and planned to dedicate her retirement to spending time with them. She was also an unofficial “mom” to many as a SLRHS Marching Band parent. She thoroghly enjoyed her trips stateside and to Europe, especially Southern France; camping trips to Point Sebago, Maine; and her favorite family getaway, Martha's Vineyard.
She so much of herself to her family, friends, students, and colleagues. She taught mathematics in high school in El Paso, Texas and at Bridgewater-Raynham, as well as in college for more than 30 years at Massasoit Community College.
In 2007, she became the first New Englander to be awarded the National AMATYC Teaching Excellence Award in mathematics at a community college. In 2009, she was inducted into the Massachusetts Hall of Fame for Mathematics Educators. In 2011, the NEMATYC Student Mathematics League Award was named after her. Also in 2011, she received the Massachusetts Community College Council Lemieux Award, the highest award given for service, leadership and dedication contributing to the MCCC, public higher education and the labor movement. Her greatest reward is the spirit she has generated that will be carried on in all those fortunate enough to have known her.
A private family celebration will be held during apple blossom time at Honey Pot Hill Orchards in Stow. Relatives and friends are invited to honor Mrs. Martin by their presence at the Rand-Harper-Pickering Funeral Home, 62 West Main Street, Westborough, Saturday, Feb. 11, from 2 to 6 p.m. For directions and condolences, visit www.westboroughfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Mrs. Martin. Please make checks payable to MGH, note her name and either Brain Cancer Research Fund or Parkinson's Disease Research Fund, and mail to Massachusetts General Hospital, c/o Development Office, 165 Cambridge St., Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114.
