Martha Loomis Grabillof Hanover, died at the age of 96 at her home at Wheelock Terrace on Sunday, January 13th surrounded by family. A longtime resident of Lincoln and Concord MA, she had moved to Hanover in June to be closer to family.

Martha was born on October 24, 1922 to Robert C. and Blanche B. Loomis. Her father died in 1938 at which point she and her mother moved to Oberlin, OH at the height of the Depression, so that her mother could work as a housemother at Oberlin College. Martha graduated from Oberlin in 1944. She worked for the Department of Defense during World War II, and following the war worked for the Oberlin Alumni Magazine and Harvard Law School.

In 1948 she married Elliott V. Grabill (Oberlin '32) and they moved to Lincoln, MA where they raised their family. A devoted member of the First Parish Church in Lincoln for 69 years, she volunteered in a number of church capacities, taking particular delight in mentoring student ministers. A supporter of social justice, she was active in many community causes, including the City Mission Society in Boston

She leaves her sons Elliott Vincent Grabill, Jr. of Ellicott City, MD, and his wife Julie, Robert L. Grabill of Hanover and his wife Debra, and John H. Grabill of Wayland, MA and his wife Natalie. She was the devoted grandmother of Cinnamon, Katy, Robert, Aurora, Elliott, Lily, Molly, Emily and John, and great grandmother of Canela and Helena. She also leaves many nieces, nephews and cousins, whom she cherished.

Her husband Elliott died in 1982 and she devoted herself to church, community and her growing extended family. She enjoyed many wonderful summers with family and friends at the family cottage at Point Connett in Mattapoisett, MA.

Her move to Hanover and Wheelock Terrace allowed her to make a number of new friends. She attended church locally and enjoyed excursions and getting to know the Upper Valley.

Martha's family is grateful for the extraordinary professional care of the Wheelock Terrace staff, and in recent days the comforting attention of the Bayada Hospice staff.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, May 18 at 1:00 PM at the First Parish Church in Lincoln, MA, with arrangements in the care of the Rand-Wilson Funeral Home in Hanover.

Donations in her memory may be made to the First Parish in Lincoln, PO Box 0218, Lincoln, MA 01773.