Martha Clark (Ryder) Payne

FAYETTE – It is with sadness that the family of Martha Payne announce her death on March 24, 2025.

Martha was born on August 25, 1942. She was raised in Middleboro, Mass., where her family had long-standing ties to the community. She attended Northfield Mount Hermon School and later enrolled in Gordon College, where she met Eric Payne. Their marriage spanned 62 years, a testament to their enduring partnership and shared life.

Martha earned a BA in education at Salem State College and devoted many years to teaching in the elementary schools in Danvers and Topsfield, Mass. Later, Martha undertook a career change and learned computer programming, commencing a new and successful professional path. Upon retirement, Martha and Eric moved to Maine where they spent the most joyful years of their lives, hiking the gorgeous mountains of Maine and traveling throughout the United States in their small motorhome, bringing along their large Bernese Mountain dogs to share the adventure.

Martha is lovingly remembered by her husband, Eric Payne; her daughter, Susan Payne-Nelson and son-in-law Dan Nelson, her son, Andrew Payne and his partner Mick; her brother, Tom Ryder and his wife Sonny; her grandchildren, Eric and Ruby Nelson; and numerous nieces, nephews, and their children. She was preceded in death by her parents, Sybil and Nathaniel Ryder and her brothers, John and Donald Ryder.

Martha found deep joy in the natural world. She spent countless, peaceful hours walking through the woods with her dogs and tending her beautiful perennial gardens with patience and care. Somehow she found time to prepare delicious meals for family and friends. Martha had a talent for the fiber arts, and she was always immersed in a new knitting or felting project.

Martha was a loving friend to many and she was treasured by her family. She was deeply committed to the UCC Church of Winthrop and her church community. The kindness and thoughtfulness she spread in the world will live on through the many lives she touched.

A gathering of friends and family will take place on April 12, 2025, at the Winthrop Congregational UCC Church 10 Bowdoin Street, Winthrop, ME at 11 a.m.

Special thanks and appreciation to Andwell Health Partners for their tremendous support during a difficult time.

In lieu of sending

flowers, please consider

a donation to:

the Kennebec Valley

Humane Society