Martha W. Henrique

Martha Henrique.

The youngest of eight children of Horace and Dora Watson, she was born in Provincetown on Dec. 16, 1931 and graduated from Provincetown High School with the class of 1950. She had moved to Eastham and then to the Serenity Apartments in Brewster five years ago.

Martha chaired the Provincetown Board of Health for 13 years in addition to finding many other ways of serving her community. She taught civil defense, spearheaded the group Serious Citizens Revolting Against Mismanagement (SCRAM), and was an active member of the PTA and the women’s society and choir at the United Methodist Church.

In summer, Martha and her husband, Dick, rented rooms and cottages in their Pearl Street home and back yard to local artists. A member of the Center for Coastal Studies, she sold whale watch tickets on both piers for many years with her friend Helen Costa. She learned to hook wool rugs and strip furniture. Above all, her family said, Martha was a devoted and loving wife, mother, nana, and “gigi,” and a loyal friend.

Martha found profound joy in cooking for those who gathered at her table, creating many traditions and memories over the years. She was famous for her Christmas morning flippers and her potato salad at summer cookouts. Her kindness to animals was evident in a multitude of pets, most recently her Peekapoo, Snicker, a cherished companion of 15 years. Her flower gardens were beautiful, and she enjoyed feeding wild raccoons on her deck and watching the Boston Celtics on TV with a dish of maple walnut or rum raisin ice cream.

Martha was always ready for adventures and outings: dancing at the VFW, fishing trips on Dick’s boat, having her hair done by Brian or Barry at Salon 54 (often with home-baked goodies in hand), dinner at the Mayflower, services and fellowship at church, picnics at the windmill in Eastham, Cape Symphony concerts, sunsets at the beach, and family dinners at restaurants and at home.

She was known for her sense of humor, charm, and intellect, and she had an abundance of lifelong friendships. “Her ability to know when someone was in need was a tribute to her kindness and compassion,” said her daughter Robin. “A meal for someone who was ill or clothes going to the less fortunate were acts of generosity we all witnessed.”

Martha was happiest on the beaches and piers of Provincetown. “This is the most beautiful place in the world,” she often said, “and it will always be my home.”

She is survived by her children, Robert A. Henrique and wife Lisa of Provincetown, Richard L. Henrique and wife Dawn Marie of Truro, Robin H. Perry and husband Russell of Brewster, Roxanne M. Henrique of Eastham, and Rosemary W. Smith of Brewster; her grandchildren, Carissa Silva, Dawn Snow, Colby Henrique, John Thomas Henrique, Kendall Perry, Kellen Perry, Lacey Vail, Bruce Henrique; and her great-grandchildren, Neely Silva, Collin Silva, Clara Colley, and Corey Sparks.

Martha was predeceased by her high school sweetheart and husband of 48 years, John R. Henrique.

A celebration of her life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 11 at the United Methodist Church in Provincetown. A private burial will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Martha’s memory may go to the Brewster Animal Shelter or the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown.