Martha Courage (Brown) Colby

Her parents, Russell C. and Muriel C. (McGowan) Brown welcomed their daughter into the world on December 28, 1943 in Barre, Vermont. She grew up in Barre and graduated from Spaulding High School in 1961 where she enjoyed being a majorette.

Martha attended Vermont College in Montpelier where she received an Associate degree in Science in 1963.

She married her high school sweetheart, Robert, in Hanover, NH on August 7, 1970. They moved to Keene, NH in 1974, residing there for ten years before moving to Swanzey. She worked for over 25 years as an executive assistant with Clark Mortenson Insurance in Keene.

She will be remembered by many for her great sense of humor and selflessness.

Martha’s passions were quilting and knitting; she left many treasured keepsakes for her family. She also enjoyed tending to her gardens and canning the bounty.

She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Robert J. Colby of Swanzey; her children, Sara Kinsherf and her husband Jeff of Halifax, MA, Melissa Courage Colby of Plymouth, MA, Robert Colby II of Richmond, NH; her granddaughter, Ashley McCormick, of New York, NY; a sister, Doris Brown of Wilder, VT; a brother, Russell Brown Jr. and his wife, Eva, of Williamstown, VT; and many nieces, nephews and extended family members.

A graveside service will be held at Mountain View Cemetery in Swanzey in the Spring.

For those who wish, donations may be made in Mrs. Colby’s memory to the American Heart Association Northeast Affiliate, Two Wall Street, Manchester, NH 03101.