Martha Jean (Phillips) Osborne

Martha was born in Boston, MA on May 4, 1943, the daughter of Loring K. and Ethel J. (Reed) Phillips. She was a 1962 graduate of Harwich High School, Harwich MA on Cape Cod.

Martha’s parents moved the family to Harwich Port in 1947. She worked at the A&P during her high school years, where she met her future husband, Howard S. Osborne, Jr., who predeceased her in 2005. They married after her graduation and raised two daughters.

An animal lover, Martha gave a home to many, many pets over the years. She would tell stories of the stray dogs she brought home as a girl to her very surprised mother. She was a loving wife and mother and loved to cook for her family. Martha also loved horseback riding, which she enjoyed with friends in her younger years.

In later years, Martha worked as a clerk at JC Penney in New Hampshire, where she and her family moved in 1985. She was very literary-minded and loved to write, composing two novels. Martha also had an affinity to decorate.

Martha is survived by daughters, Natasha Osborne-Howe of York, ME and Lee (Osborne) DeNauw of Edgewater, FL as well as her sons-in-law, Paul Howe and Michael DeNauw, a sister-in-law, Martha (Crowell) Phillips of West Dennis, MA. She was predeceased by a sister, Ethel (Phillips) Payne in 1980 and a brother, Allan Phillips in 2025.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 10, 11 a.m. at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Harwich Port where Martha will be laid to rest with her family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or to a local animal shelter.