Martha (Garlo) Kellett

Martha Garlo Kellett  On November 21, 2022 a remarkable woman passed at the age of 103 after a fulfilling and productive life. Martha Garlo Kellett was born on March 10, 1919 to Edward and Anna(Sopko) Garlo in Westfield, MA. When Martha was a year old her family moved to Michigan to find work. Anna became ill and moved back to Massachusetts with Martha and her brother Harold. Upon the passing of her mother in 1921, Martha and Harold came to live with their Aunt Susan (her mother’s sister) and her husband Stephen Cernak, on the farm at Westhampton Road, Northampton, MA. Martha was born before women had the right to vote in the USA, her mother died 101 years ago, her first husband died 60 years ago and her second husband died 28 years ago. Martha was raised in a house that during her childhood had no plumbing or electricity, walked 5 miles to school everyday(total) to a one-room schoolhouse, and graduated from Smith College in Northampton, MA, at the age of 20. She was a microbiologist performing research, writing and contributing journals over the years, at the same time was strong in her faith, and up to a couple of years ago was a daily consumer of CNBC and the Wall Street Journal. Upon her retirement Martha and her husband Ralph returned to the farmhouse where she was raised. They were able to travel, play golf and enjoy relatives and friends. Martha became active in her church, United Methodist; an active member of P.E.O. Sisterhood of Hampshire County, and until recently enjoyed attending class reunions at Smith College. Martha is predeceased by her husbands;Joseph R.Johnson Jr. and Ralph C. Kellett; her parents; Anna and Edward Garlo;the couple who raised her;Aunt Sue and Uncle Steve;her brothers, Elbert and Harold; her foster sister, Anna Hunt;her Aunts;Mary and Theresa Sopko;her step daughter Barbara Johnson;her nephew Robert Garlo and Godchild Mary Hunt Holt. Martha is survived by her sons, Jay Russell Johnson(Nancy)and James Ronald Johnson(Kim);Grandchildren, Nicholas, Jay and Grace Johnson. Stepson Alan Johnson(Wendy); many step Grandchildren and great-great grandchildren;3 nephews and 2 nieces, plus many great and great-great nephews and nieces.

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