Martha N. Dorney

Born September 3, 1950, she was the daughter of William and Mary (Murray) Nugent. Martha is survived by her husband, Steven C. Dorney, a sister, Jane E. Nugent and her partner, Barbara F. Casey, and a brother, Jeffrey P. Nugent. Martha has many wonderful cousins on all sides of our families. She was fortunate to have many caring friends and neighbors.

Martha grew up in Fall River, spending many childhood seasons at North Park. She graduated from Mt. St. Mary's Academy and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, majoring in Elementary Education. Martha, along with her father, each worked 40 years in the Fall River Public Schools.

Martha was an elementary teacher for 30 years at the Lincoln Annex and Westall Schools. She later trained at Lesley College to become a Reading Recovery teacher. She also received her Master's Degree from Lesley University. She finished her career in the Curriculum Department specializing in Reading. During her final year, she worked at the Viveiros elementary school.

Martha enjoyed traveling with Steve. Trips to the National Parks in the West, visiting England while her sister, Jane, worked in England and going to Wimbledon tennis. April school vacations on Anna Maria Island in Florida and lovely trips to Ireland, Italy, Sicily, Spain, the Azores and mainland Portugal. For her mother's 80th birthday, a family trip to the Canadian Rockies was truly Special.

Martha's life was an active one. She enjoyed playing tennis (a wicked forehand), participated in the "family sport"-Golf- and she cross country skied. Martha was an avid runner. She jogged over 30 years, nearly every morning at 5:45 a.m. before going off to school. She ran some road races including the Shamrock Classic out of the old Boston Garden where their photo appeared on the back cover of the results publication and a top-ten finish at Colt State Park in Bristol. Also, a race on Nantucket, in the pouring rain, that finished with a Double Rainbow!! Martha became an avid walker, especially in her neighborhood with their two beloved dogs, Flashy and Belle. Martha would walk with her “such a good boy” Flash while she relegated Steve to walk Belle. Martha was an “original” member of the “Blizzard Walkers” along with Steve and Jane, trekking from North Park to Magoni’s in Somerset during the Blizzard of 1978 when all driving was prohibited.

This group continues this commemoration. Martha, a High School basketball player, enjoyed attending and watching the basketball games of the Boston Celtics and Providence College.

Martha was a volunteer for many years at St. Anne's Hospital and the Fall River Public Library.

There are a GREAT number of folks for which to offer Thanks. We are truly indebted to Charlton Memorial Hospital. The staff in the Intensive Care Unit, Moran 3 and the in-patient Hospice staff were ALL magnificent in their interactions with Martha. For our family, Charlton was truly: More Than Medicine.

We will never be able to repay Martha's cousin, Sr. Jill Weber, who came from Jamaica to stay with us during Martha's final weeks. The bond between Martha and Jill will always be a very strong one.

We are thankful to Martha's long time Rheumatologist, Dr. Suzelle Luc, Dr. Joanne Chang, her Primary Care Physician and before that, the nearly 30 years with Dr. Warren Wood as her PCP.

Her funeral service will be held Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 11:00 AM at the Waring-Sullivan Home at Cherry Place, 178 Winter Street, Fall River. Relatives and friends are invited. A visitation will be held Tuesday, May 6, 2025 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Burial will be private.

Martha was an avid and vociferous reader. Her work in Fall River's public schools included focusing on promoting students to be Life Long learners. To live that mantra, Martha participated for many years taking courses with the Second Half Learning.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Friends of the Fall River Public Library, 104 North Main St. Fall River, MA 02720 of which Martha was a committee member.

Martha was affectionately known as “Little Marth”.