Martha B. Gearan

GARDNER - Martha B. Gearan, 90, a lifelong Gardner resident, died Monday, June 15, surrounded by her family at the Baldwinville Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center. Born in Gardner February 5, 1919, Mrs. Gearan was the youngest child of William and Mary (Winters) Carr who had immigrated to the United States from Louisburg, County Mayo, Ireland in 1913. She attended Sacred Heart School and graduated from Gardner High School in 1936. She brought her many talents and personal attributes to her work as Director of Volunteers at Henry Heywood Memorial Hospital in Gardner for nearly 20 years. Following her retirement, she enjoyed her part time work at the Westminster Council on Aging. The wife of the late John S. Gearan, the former Gardner High School Principal, who died 40 years ago, Mrs. Gearan exhibited great strength and resilience throughout her life. Gifted with a remarkable ability to build and sustain friendships across generations, Mrs. Gearan was known and admired by her family and friends for her warm hospitality and unique ability to create a welcoming environment for all who entered her home at frequent gatherings and events. Mrs. Gearan was very proud of her Irish heritage and was an avid follower of politics, from the national to the local level. In addition, she had a broad range of interests and artistic talents that graced her home and those of others. Accomplished in painting, quilting, crewel work and all types of crafts, she enjoyed the challenge of home decorating projects and the creativity of design. Her engaging personality, love of people and sense of humor brought joy to the many people who encountered her presence. Mrs. Gearan was active in numerous civic and charitable organizations in the Gardner area and was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Church. She was elected to the Gardner School Committee in 1971 receiving the highest vote total of any candidate seeking office that year. She served on the Board of the Montachusett Home Care Corporation and had leadership roles in the Sacred Heart Church Centennial Fund; Catholic Women's Club, Gardner History Club and Gardner Women's Club Mrs. Gearan was the devoted mother of three children: daughter, Maryalice Svare and her husband Bruce of Delmar, N.Y.; two sons, Jay Gearan and his wife Janice of Gardner; and Mark Gearan and his wife Mary of Geneva, N.Y. She was a proud and caring grandmother to John Svare of Wilton, N.Y., Mark Svare and his wife Erin of Hyde Park, MA., Jack Gearan of Chestnut Hill, MA, and Michael Gearan of Chestnut Hill, MA, Madeleine and Kathleen Gearan of Geneva, N.Y. Recently she joyfully welcomed her great-granddaughter, Nuala Svare. Mrs. Gearan was predeceased by five siblings, three of whom were born in Ireland: John A. Carr, W. Joseph Carr, Patrick J. Carr, Harold Carr and a sister Mae Francavilla. She valued the friendship of sisters-in-law who also predeceased her: Eleanor Gearan, Margaret (Gearan) Bourque, Mary (Gearan) Dunn, Dorothy Carr, Doris Carr, and Florence Carr. Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23 and 9 to 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday, June 24 at the John H. Mack Funeral Home, 91 Vernon St., Gardner. The funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, June 24 at 11:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, Cross St. Gardner. At the time of her husband's death in 1969, Mrs. Gearan established the John S. Gearan Scholarship Fund, an annual award given to deserving Gardner High School graduates. To honor Mrs. Gearan's support of education, her civic involvement and community service, the family has now established the John and Martha Gearan Scholarship Fund which will continue to assist students in providing access to higher education. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations may be made to the John and Martha Gearan Scholarship Fund, TD Banknorth, 90 Pearson Boulevard, Gardner, MA 01440. $(document).ready(function(){ });