Martha P Gayford

Martha Provenzano Gayford, 105 years young passed away on August 26, 2024. Born in Chicago, IL on Melrose and Damen with a midwife, during the Spanish flu. Martha had a wonderful life full of many experiences. She was a devoted Catholic who was very proud of her faith. Martha was always surrounded by family and friends in Illinois and Fort Myers Beach. She was so proud of all of her 5 Children, 10 Grandchildren, 17 Great Grandchildren and loved them all dearly. Not only did she dedicate most of her time to family and friends but she was always an animal lover and loved her pets – Butch, Sam, Many Parakeets, A Few Goldfish, Tawny, Poppy, Maximilian Laughs, Rascal and Thalia. Martha Loved to Laugh, and at 105 years young still loved to flirt with Good Looking Men (Especially the Doctors). Martha loved the finer things in life as well such as Live Theatre, the Symphony, Movies, and Dining Out. But above all she loved to travel. Some of Martha’s travels brought her to Sicily – visited homes of Parents in the towns of Contessa Entellina and Burgio, Sicily, Corsica, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Azores, England, Belgium, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Albania, Croatia, Greece, Egypt, Israel, Mexico, Coast to Coast in the United States, and especially Loved Alaska and Hawaii.

In her many years of life, Martha had many joyous occasions she was always sharing with others. The fondest memories of her younger years were the ones of her barnstorming with future husband Joseph Gayford and brother Peter Provenzano and Peter’s future wife, Fay Nelson. In 2017 seventeen members of Martha’s family flew to England to honor Major Peter B. Provenzano for the 100th Anniversary of Martlesham Heath in Ipswich, England. Martlesham Heath was the airfield that Major Peter B. Provenzano flew out of when he was in the 71st Eagle Squadron of the Royal Air Force. Peter’s sisters Martha Gayford and May Schiro, along with his great granddaughters, Natalia and Amelia Provenzano were chosen to lay the Wreath at the Commemorative Stone and Plaque. She was also a Girl Scout Leader, and part of Women’s Aglow Leadership.

With all joys there are always heartaches along the way, and in her many years Martha did have some of those experiences. The death of Father Dominico Provenzano 1922 – Martha was 3 years old. The death of her Brother – Major Peter B Provenzano USAAF 1943. The Death of Parents – Santina and Vincent Provenzano 1985 and 1992. The Death of Sister – Sarah Rose Tonkin 2004. The Death of Husband – Joseph M. Gayford 1980. The Death of Grandson – Eric Webb 2020. Martha had also lost her home and all prized and personal possessions to Hurricane Ian 2022.

Through all of the trials and tribulations of life, Martha bared witness to many events in history. She survived 2 Pandemics, the Spanish Flu 1918 and Covid 19 2020. She had lived through the country being part of 9 Wars World War I - Officially Ended June 28, 1919 with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, Iraq War, Afghanistan War, Ukraine – Russian War, Israel – Hamas War. Martha had experienced 19 US Presidents, witnessed Alexander Graham Bell to Modern Technology, evolution of vehicles from Model T Ford to Tesla. The 19th Amendment – Granted Women the Right to Vote 1920. Charles Lindbergh’s Transatlantic Flight 1927. Prohibition 1920 – 1933. The Great Depression 1930’s along with the Nazi Holocaust – World War II 1933 – 1945. Pearl Harbor – December 7, 1941. President Kennedy Assassinated – 1963. Civil Rights Act 1964. The wondrous moment of Neil Armstrong 1st Person to Walk on the Moon – July 21, 1969. And finally a day our country will never forget the tragedy of 9/11.