Martha Loomis Grabill

Martha Loomis Grabill of Hanover, died at the age of 96 at her home at Wheelock Terrace on January 13, surrounded by family. A longtime resident of Lincoln and Concord MA, she had moved to Hanover in June to be closer to family. Martha was born on October 24, 1922 to Robert C. and Blanche B. Loomis. Her father died in 1938 at which point she and her mother moved to Oberlin, OH at the height of the Depression, so that her mother could work as a housemother at Oberlin College. Martha graduated from Oberlin in 1944. She worked for the Department of Defense during World War II, and following the war worked for the Oberlin Alumni Magazine and Harvard Law School. She married Elliott V. Grabill (Oberlin '32) in 1948 and they moved to Lincoln, MA where they raised their family. A devoted member of the First Parish Church in Lincoln for 69 years, she volunteered in a number of church capacities, taking particular delight in mentoring student ministers. A supporter of social justice, she was active in many community causes, including the City Mission Society in Boston

She leaves her sons Elliott Vincent Grabill, Jr. of Ellicott City, MD, and his wife Julie, Robert L. Grabill of Hanover and his wife Debra, and John H. Grabill of Wayland, MA and his wife Natalie. She was the devoted grandmother of Cinnamon, Katy, Robert, Aurora, Elliott, Lily, Molly, Emily and John, and great grandmother of Canela and Helena. She also leaves many nieces, nephews and cousins, whom she cherished. Her husband Elliott died in 1982, and she devoted herself to church, community and her growing extended family. She enjoyed many wonderful summers with family and friends at the family cottage at Point Connett in Mattapoisett, MA.

Her move to Hanover and Wheelock Terrace allowed her to make a number of new friends. She attended church locally and enjoyed excursions and getting to know the Upper Valley. Martha's family is grateful for the extraordinary professional care of the Wheelock Terrace staff, and in recent days the comforting attention of the Bayada Hospice staff. Through it all, Martha loved music, from her early years she loved Big Bands, Classical, Broadway with a particular fancy for Opera. She attended symphony concerts regularly and supported the BSO and sharing her vase interests with her beloved grandchildren. She loved listening to her radio for hours. She stayed current and even liked "Hamilton". Her greatest loves were tennis, travel and keeping up with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A celebration of her life will be in Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 1:00p.m. in First Parish in Lincoln, 14 Bedford Rd., Lincoln where Martha was a devoted member for 69 years volunteering in many capacities and taking particular delight in mentoring student ministers. Martha was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the members and staff at the Church.
Donations in her memory may be made to ;
The First Parish in Lincoln
P.O. Box 218
Lincoln, MA 01773.