I have just now come across Marthajoy's obituary. I had lost touch with her in recent years, but remember her well. We shared a love for Jewish storytelling. I still sometimes tell her story about a giant who loved latkes that she gave me permission to tell. She also taught me the Rebbe Nachman song "life is just a narrow bridge" - Marthajoy created bridges and impacted many through her teachings and stories. My condolences to her family.

Dear Ken and family,
I am so sorry to hear about Martha’s passing.
I have been trying to find you for a while,  I wrote to your Brookline address, now I know why I haven’t heard back.
I have been thinking about the good times we had together in  the70s..,.  All the help I got from Martha….  And you teaching me to drive..
I would love to hear from you.  I am thinking of you.
Beatrice Rizvi
North Attleboro, MA


Dear Kenneth & Family,  

I went to grammar school & high school with Marthajoy.  I called her Marti in those days.  She was a good friend throughout our childhood.   The last time I saw her was when she attended our high school centennial in 2012.  I met you  Kenneth at this time.

I just found out she passed away on FB.  I was going to send her a message to reconnect.  My deepest condolences to you & your entire family.

With my deepest sympathy,  Janet Green Kaplan

Dear Ken and family,
I want to first start off by sending my deepest condolences.  I want to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to know and work with Martha Joy.  Although I've only worked with her a short time she grew on me, and i looked forward to seeing her every evening.  I try not to get attached to the patients i care for but with Martha Joy it was hard not to. There are many things i remember and loved about her, but what stuck out the most is that she was always so positive about everything and never complained.  She accepted things as they were and that has taught me to do the same. I will miss her smiling face, watching the british cooking channel with her, hearing  her say Thank You for everything i done for her, even on days she didn't want to take all her medication. Most of all i will miss taking care of Martha Joy. It was such a pleasure knowing her and ken.  Your family will be in my prayers always- Caregiver- Angela

My favorite memory was growing up in Jeffery Manor on the south side of Chicago and living very close to my cousins, Martha & Elaine. Martha & I were only 6 days apart in age. We would share dinners with our parents since our mothers were sisters. We also shared Thanksgiving at our other Aunt's up north and the children were told to go up to the attic to play.  Martha had skipped a grade in school so she was in my sister's classes in high school (Bowen). I'm so glad we recently had cousin zooms to talk with each other.
All my love, Linda Ann Gibbs

      MarthaJoy facilitated Torah study and meditation on Friday mornings, some thirty plus years ago.  For me, those studies were a warm and wonderful sharing in a loving environment.  In following years, I'd occasionally bump into her walking with her husband, Ken.  She was a dear soul upon our earth.

Marthajoy was a beautiful woman who shared her passion and understanding of life with many. She sang and spoke with the angels and was a guide to many younger women in her greater community, including myself. I'm grateful to have known her and feel her gracious spirit is a guide. She has gone before us to shine a light and hold a flame to the goodness in the world. I will miss her in this form but know that she continues to dance in the hearts of her beloved daughters and family and all those who she has touched. . Many blessings, Marthajoy! All love to you, Shakti Rowan-Lena

I never met Marthajoy we were friends on Facebook I talked to her years ago through a Epilepsy study and we stayed friends she was so kind with the Messages that she sent me. I will never forget her  My condolences go out to the family

Marthajoy was a deep and light teacher of Jewish mysticism through meditation. Perhaps it was with her that I first experienced Jewish meditation. I can hear her voice so strongly now. At once, matter of fact, and musical. She was the storyteller in our dance, Midrash for Dina that her wonderful daughter, Abigail drummed for.
She was kind and honest, I am a fuller and better person for knowing her.

I shall never forget Martha's kindness and intelligence. She was such an inspiration to me, my children, and the Chavurah in Sharon.


I will always hear Martha Joy’s voice in my head, singing Jewish songs or laughing out loud.  She was that teacher as a child that you loved so much that decades later when I got married, I wanted Martha’s calming presence and voice to be the one with us as officiant welcoming us to this next important chapter in my life.  Thanks for everything Martha, we will miss you!

I will always cherish the times spent with Marthajoy, especially being around the fire with her, and listening to her tell stories. What a gift it has been to get to know her and bask in the glow of her love. I will cherish her memory forever. Blessings to her family, especially to Ken, in this difficult time of grieving. 

OBITUARY

Marthajoy Aft

6 September, 1942 – 1 August, 2022

King David Memorial Chapel & Cemetery

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