Martha Garrett Alling, age 86, of Marblehead passed away on May 29, 2023. She was the beloved wife of the late Dr. Frederic Alling, with whom she happily shared 62 years of marriage.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, on Aug. 4, 1936, she was the daughter of the late William Garrett and Mary G. Broadnax. She was a devoted and loving mother and mother-in-law of Wendy and John Judy, Helen and the late Stuart Westland, and Frances and Chris Tully. She was the cherished grandmother of Darcy Dellavecchia, Jessica Westland, Jeremy Westland, Dakota Judy, Frederic (Fritz) Tully, Peter Tully, Wilson Judy and Garrett Tully.
Marty grew up living in many towns and states due to her father’s job as a vice president for AT&T, although she spent the majority of her adult life in Tenafly, New Jersey. She attended Stephen’s College in Columbia, Missouri, and later finished her degree at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Hackensack, New Jersey.
Martha met her husband, Fred, an assistant minister, while working as a secretary at Christ Church Vestry in Englewood, New Jersey. They were married on Dec. 29, 1956.
Martha supported and worked while Fred attended medical school at Columbia University in New York City. While Marty and Fred raised their three daughters in Tenafly, she also taught for 22 years in the Tenafly Public Schools (kindergarten, first and fourth grade).
Martha graduated with a master’s in education from Bank Street College of Education in New York City.
She was a passionate believer in women’s rights and equal rights for all, and confidently expressed her views.
Martha enjoyed gardening, the ballet, Broadway shows, the arts, museums, traveling, summers at their home in Westhampton Beach, Long Island, and had a deep love for nature. Her happiest times were when she was with her family.
A private family gathering will be planned to celebrate Martha’s wonderful life. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Massachusetts Audubon‘s Fund for Nature (massaudubon.org).
