Frances Mary (Machiesky) Martin, age 90, of Wilmington, died peacefully at Care One at Wilmington on June 9, 2016, with her family by her side.
Frances was born in Eynon, Pennsylvania to Frank and Mary (Valulek) Machiesky on March 6, 1926; she had two brothers, Alex and John, who are both deceased.
Frances graduated from Archbald High School in 1944 and moved to Washington, D.C. She worked for the FBI from 1944 to 1948. Handling fingerprints from many famous criminals were some of the anecdotes she loved to tell. She loved Washington, D.C. and lived there during the war, making many friends that lasted a lifetime.
On February 1, 1947, Frances married Peter George Martin and the couple moved to Kansas City, Missouri, so that her husband could complete schooling to work for the railroad. They permanently settled in Wilmington, Massachusetts. Frances and Peter were married for sixty-three years and they had six children.
After staying home to raise her children, Frances went back to work for the Wilmington Public School System, first as a cook, then as a manager. Frances was well-known for her cooking and baking skills, including canning, making her own bread, and homemade fudge.
After retiring, Frances and Peter traveled extensively across the United States and Canada.
Frances was a woman of faith, who was heavily involved in the Charismatic Movement and the Saint Agnes Prayer group. God and family were the priorities in her life. She gave to many charities her entire life and volunteered at St. Thomas of Villanova Church.
Frances was the devoted wife of the late Peter G. Martin, who passed away on February 24, 2010.
Frances is survived by her six children: Diane F. Martin of Lowell, Robert P. Martin and his wife Ondis of the Philippines, Mary Ann Marks and her husband, Walter of North Reading, Thomas A. Martin and his wife Marylee of Londonderry, NH, Theresa M. Gilbride and her husband Thomas of Lowell and Katherine M. Martin of Wilmington. Frances is also survived by seven grandchildren: Anthony Marks, Michael P. Martin, Thomas Marks, Jessica Diebold, Elizabeth Gilbride, Peter Martin and Michael A. Martin, as well as two great-grandchildren: Evey Marks and Simon Diebold.
Family and friends will gather at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, for Visitation on Monday, June 13th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 126 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington at 12:00 noon. Interment will follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Frances’ favorite charity, Food For the Poor, P.O. Box 979005, Coconut Creek, FL 33097-9005.