Martha Bourdon

HALLOWELL – Virginia Martha Bourdon died Feb. 16, 2024, at home after a long illness. She was known to all as Martha. She was born June 26, 1942 and went to Holy Cross Elementary School and South Portland High School. Martha always loved horses and in her teen years, she taught horseback riding at Lufkin Stables. Later in life she owned her own horse named Buck.

She graduated from Mount Saint Mary College, Hooksett, NH with a degree in Education. Martha loved teaching and taught in Richmond schools and briefly at Stevens School for Girls in Hallowell.

In 1966 she married Richard V. Bourdon. In 1971 she gave birth to their son, Michael Richard Bourdon, who immediately became her pride and joy. Martha loved being a wife and mother and busied herself with gardening, homemaking and her specialty: baking. At Christmas, friends eagerly awaited their gift of Martha’s English Muffins.

When Michael was little the family spent two weeks every summer at Higgins Beach with her sister Ann and her family. Treasured memories were made with the cousins, whether it was playing in the tidal pools, or searching for sand dollars on early morning beach walks. As Michael got a little older, the family spent memorable summer weeks on Long Pond in Rome, everyone went, even the cats! Martha loved taking the boat with Michael to go to Day’s Store for fresh donuts for her family and company. Later in life, she and Richard took several wonderful trips to Aruba with friends.

After Michael got along in school, she worked as a library assistant at Hubbard Free Library in Hallowell. Martha had many friends in Hallowell and loved seeing them for coffee “to catch up”.

She was very involved in her church, Sacred Heart, volunteering as a religious education teacher and Eucharist Minister.

Martha was predeceased by her beloved husband, Richard; her parents, John and Virginia Keenan of South Portland; her brother J. Stuart Keenan. She is survived by her devoted son, Michael, his wife Susan, and much-loved grandchildren, Chris and Kate of Vassalboro; and her sister, Ann Swasey of South Portland.

The family extends great thanks to her wonderful caregivers Denise, Krissy, Tanya, Brittany, and Michelle. They made Martha’s last years comfortable, secure, and loving. Also, a special thank you to Maine General Hospice for their expert care and support.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, March 14 at 11 a,m, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 12 Summer St., Hallowell, ME 04347. Interment will take place in the spring. Arrangements have been entrusted to Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta, ME 04330. Condolences, stories and photos may be shared by visiting http://www.plummerfh.com.

In lieu of flowers,

memorial donations may be made to:

Hubbard Free Library

115 Second St.

Hallowell, ME 04347 or to:

the Kennebec Valley

Humane Society

168 Leighton Rd.

Augusta, ME 04330