Virginia "Stubby" (Hawley) Martin

ATHOL - Virginia “Stubby” (Hawley) Martin passed away Sunday November 26 2017 after a brief illness. She was born on September 23, 1930 in Greenfield, MA to Oliver and Mildred (Amsden) Hawley. A lifelong resident of Athol, she attended Athol schools and graduated from Athol High School with the Class of 1948. Stubby worked as a telephone operator for many years as well as a cafeteria worker at Athol Junior High School as well. For most of her life however, she was a homemaker and stay at home mom. Her competitive nature drew her to all sports. At a time when it was not common place for girls to play sports, she looked for and found opportunities to play. As a teenager and young adult she travelled throughout New England to play softball and basketball with other local young women. As an adult she took that love of sports and became a coach at Athol High School for both the girls basketball and softball teams in the 1960’s and 70’s. She was also a long time member of the board of directors of the Athol Little League, and with her husband ran the “Puppy League” program for many years. After giving up coaching she continued to be a main stay of support for all of the Athol High School teams. Later in life she would take her support north to New Hampshire, where she could be found in the bleachers of the athletic events at Colby-Sawyer College. Her husband Brian D. Martin, whom she met and beat at a swim meet at the Athol YMCA when they were 13 and 11, passed away in 2007. They were married for 52 years. She was also pre-deceased by her brother Richard Hawley in 2008. She leaves two sons, Richard and his wife Cathy of Royalston, George of Newbury, NH, three grandchildren Nicole and her husband Pete Pessagno, Christine and her husband Mike Williams (both daughters of Ginny Thornton, Brian (son of Carole Gardiner), three great grandchildren, Lily, John, and Owen, and a sister in law Irene (Burnham) Hawley. She also leaves two wonderful loving neighbors Kelly and Steve Lauzonis, as well as many friends from her Friday night poker games. Funeral services will be held Monday, December 4, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in the Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main St., Athol, MA. Calling hours will be held Sunday, December 3, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Athol Boosters Association, C/O Gene Ferrari, 111 Orchard St., Athol, MA 01331. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.mackfmailyfh.com Higgins O’Connor Funeral home – A Mack Family Funeral home, 146 Main St., Athol is assisting with arrangements.