Obituary of Martha (Gould) Howard

Martha (Gould) Howard, 89, beloved wife of the late William Howard, passed away Tuesday morning June 14, 2011 at the Baker-Katz Nursing Home in Haverhill after a long illness. Born in Peabody, she was the daughter of the late James and Betty (Houlden) Gould. She grew up in Salem, and graduated from Salem High School. She continued her studies at Salem Commercial School. Mrs. Howard was a Medical Secretary at Salem Hospital for many years, retiring 10 years ago. Martha was a very devoted and faithful person. She was the Organist with the First Baptist Church of Peabody and the South Congregational Church in Peabody for a combined 60 years. She was also the Choir Director. She also was a member of the Peabody Historical Society, and was an avid reader, enjoyed sewing, crochet, and knitting. She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, David & Irmgard Howard of Houghton, NY and Philip & Shirley Howard of Groveland; five grandchildren, Deborah K. Nikolaeva of Moscow, Russia, William K. Howard of Alexandria, VA, Eleanor Henebury of Beverly, Stephen J. Howard of Sherman, IL, and Robert A. Howard of Salem; six great-grandchildren, Ekaterina, Alexei, and Davyd of Russia and Andrew, Allison, and Clyde; and several nieces and nephews. Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Philip W. Howard, and brothers Norman and Richard Gould. Relatives and friends are invited to gather for her Memorial Funeral Service on Sunday, August 7, 2011 at 3:00 PM at the South Congregational Church, Prospect St., Peabody