Martha was a daughter of Louise (Gibbs) and L. Douglas Young. She was born at her parents home on Lexington Avenue in Providence. Her mother did not want to go to hospital to deliver, so she had Martha on the kitchen table!!! 7 minutes later, Martha's twin, Jean, was born, which was a complete surprise for both Louise and Douglas!!! Martha & Jean were fraternal twins. 7 yrs. later, their sister Mary was born.
The family moved to 13 Laura St., Prov. (paternal g-father built the house) within the twins first year. She attended Hope High School, then graduated from Lincoln School. She entered Bradford Junior College where she was in the Glee Club, Modern Dance and tennis but finally had to give up the dance & tennis programs because of a rheumatic heart. After graduating from Bradford, she took a one-year course at Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School. Being a secretary had been an earlier ambition of hers. She mentioned in one of her diaries that her teenage years were "full of dances, beau's & party dresses"! She also dreamed of being an architect and loved going over blueprints for homes she would like to build.
During her year at Katherine Gibbs, she became engaged to Charles Roger Williams, Jr. They married one year later, November 28th, in a last minute wedding before he went off to Europe during WW11. While her husband was at war, in 1944 she, her twin and their best friend went to Palm Beach, FL for the winter and worked at Saks Fifth Avenue on the famous Worth Avenue.
When Roger came home and was discharged as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force, Sept. 1945, the lived in Providence until late 1947, then moving to Burlington, VT where her husband had a new job. In April of 1950, they adopted a 2 month old baby girl. In 1951, Martha's father asked Roger to join his company "Douglas Young, Inc." as a salesman. Roger accepted and the family moved to Barrington, RI.
Martha had a baby boy, Douglas in 1954 and another, Charles, in 1956.
The family spent summers boating, cruising throughout Narragansett Bay, Block Island, the Vineyard, Nantucket and even went via the boat to the World's Fair in NY in 1964!
She was a member of the Junior Women's Club and was on various civic committees as well as being active with the Barrington Women's Republican Club and the DAR.
In retirement years, she and Roger spent winters in Fort Myer's Beach, still living in Barrington on the water in summers until Roger died in 2004. They had an idyllic marriage for 61 yrs.
Martha maintained an extremely active life, often visiting with her sisters. She was still driving and enjoying life to the fullest. Her joie de vivre and exuberant energy delighted everyone she came across. Her obvious open-hearted persona allowed everyone to express their love and delight for her as well as her always expressing to all, how much she truly loved and enjoyed them.
Martha's priority in life was to put all others before herself, especially family, in any way she possibly could. She was fiercely driven towards this formidable intention and her self-sacrifice at every turn shaped all that were in her world and beyond, creating her legacy.
Both Martha & her sister Jean, died the same night, after having a wonderful time out, like they always did on Fridays. We aren't sure what brought Martha down (she fell), we think it might have been a debilitating stroke or heart attack, but for whatever reason, she could not function. Her twin was there and went to go in to the house to call 911, only to fall herself. We know Jean tried desperately to be able to get up, but she had to have hurt herself in a catastrophic way, because she could not move. Both died that night, outside (19°), one trying to save the other.
The news went worldwide. The tragedy gave their story wheels, but what was left was the real story of how both girls lived their lives: true to themselves, honest, loving and dedicated to others. These two women were irreplaceable, beloved and will be sorely missed by so many.
They were 97 when they left us.
They were born together and they died together.
The family moved to 13 Laura St., Prov. (paternal g-father built the house) within the twins first year. She attended Hope High School, then graduated from Lincoln School. She entered Bradford Junior College where she was in the Glee Club, Modern Dance and tennis but finally had to give up the dance & tennis programs because of a rheumatic heart. After graduating from Bradford, she took a one-year course at Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School. Being a secretary had been an earlier ambition of hers. She mentioned in one of her diaries that her teenage years were "full of dances, beau's & party dresses"! She also dreamed of being an architect and loved going over blueprints for homes she would like to build.
During her year at Katherine Gibbs, she became engaged to Charles Roger Williams, Jr. They married one year later, November 28th, in a last minute wedding before he went off to Europe during WW11. While her husband was at war, in 1944 she, her twin and their best friend went to Palm Beach, FL for the winter and worked at Saks Fifth Avenue on the famous Worth Avenue.
When Roger came home and was discharged as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force, Sept. 1945, the lived in Providence until late 1947, then moving to Burlington, VT where her husband had a new job. In April of 1950, they adopted a 2 month old baby girl. In 1951, Martha's father asked Roger to join his company "Douglas Young, Inc." as a salesman. Roger accepted and the family moved to Barrington, RI.
Martha had a baby boy, Douglas in 1954 and another, Charles, in 1956.
The family spent summers boating, cruising throughout Narragansett Bay, Block Island, the Vineyard, Nantucket and even went via the boat to the World's Fair in NY in 1964!
She was a member of the Junior Women's Club and was on various civic committees as well as being active with the Barrington Women's Republican Club and the DAR.
In retirement years, she and Roger spent winters in Fort Myer's Beach, still living in Barrington on the water in summers until Roger died in 2004. They had an idyllic marriage for 61 yrs.
Martha maintained an extremely active life, often visiting with her sisters. She was still driving and enjoying life to the fullest. Her joie de vivre and exuberant energy delighted everyone she came across. Her obvious open-hearted persona allowed everyone to express their love and delight for her as well as her always expressing to all, how much she truly loved and enjoyed them.
Martha's priority in life was to put all others before herself, especially family, in any way she possibly could. She was fiercely driven towards this formidable intention and her self-sacrifice at every turn shaped all that were in her world and beyond, creating her legacy.
Both Martha & her sister Jean, died the same night, after having a wonderful time out, like they always did on Fridays. We aren't sure what brought Martha down (she fell), we think it might have been a debilitating stroke or heart attack, but for whatever reason, she could not function. Her twin was there and went to go in to the house to call 911, only to fall herself. We know Jean tried desperately to be able to get up, but she had to have hurt herself in a catastrophic way, because she could not move. Both died that night, outside (19°), one trying to save the other.
The news went worldwide. The tragedy gave their story wheels, but what was left was the real story of how both girls lived their lives: true to themselves, honest, loving and dedicated to others. These two women were irreplaceable, beloved and will be sorely missed by so many.
They were 97 when they left us.
They were born together and they died together.
Martha was a daughter of Louise (Gibbs) and L. Douglas Young. She was born at her parents home on Lexington Avenue in Providence. Her mother did not want to go to hospital to deliver, so she had Martha on the kitchen table!!! 7 minutes later, Martha's twin, Jean, was born, which was a complete surprise for both Louise and Douglas!!! Martha & Jean were fraternal twins. 7 yrs. later, their sister Mary was born.
The family moved to 13 Laura St., Prov. (paternal g-father built the house) within the twins first year. She attended Hope High School, then graduated from Lincoln School. She entered Bradford Junior College where she was in the Glee Club, Modern Dance and tennis but finally had to give up the dance & tennis programs because of a rheumatic heart. After graduating from Bradford, she took a one-year course at Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School. Being a secretary had been an earlier ambition of hers. She mentioned in one of her diaries that her teenage years were "full of dances, beau's & party dresses"! She also dreamed of being an architect and loved going over blueprints for homes she would like to build.
During her year at Katherine Gibbs, she became engaged to Charles Roger Williams, Jr. They married one year later, November 28th, in a last minute wedding before he went off to Europe during WW11. While her husband was at war, in 1944 she, her twin and their best friend went to Palm Beach, FL for the winter and worked at Saks Fifth Avenue on the famous Worth Avenue.
When Roger came home and was discharged as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force, Sept. 1945, the lived in Providence until late 1947, then moving to Burlington, VT where her husband had a new job. In April of 1950, they adopted a 2 month old baby girl. In 1951, Martha's father asked Roger to join his company "Douglas Young, Inc." as a salesman. Roger accepted and the family moved to Barrington, RI.
Martha had a baby boy, Douglas in 1954 and another, Charles, in 1956.
The family spent summers boating, cruising throughout Narragansett Bay, Block Island, the Vineyard, Nantucket and even went via the boat to the World's Fair in NY in 1964!
She was a member of the Junior Women's Club and was on various civic committees as well as being active with the Barrington Women's Republican Club and the DAR.
In retirement years, she and Roger spent winters in Fort Myer's Beach, still living in Barrington on the water in summers until Roger died in 2004. They had an idyllic marriage for 61 yrs.
Martha maintained an extremely active life, often visiting with her sisters. She was still driving and enjoying life to the fullest. Her joie de vivre and exuberant energy delighted everyone she came across. Her obvious open-hearted persona allowed everyone to express their love and delight for her as well as her always expressing to all, how much she truly loved and enjoyed them.
Martha's priority in life was to put all others before herself, especially family, in any way she possibly could. She was fiercely driven towards this formidable intention and her self-sacrifice at every turn shaped all that were in her world and beyond, creating her legacy.
Both Martha & her sister Jean, died the same night, after having a wonderful time out, like they always did on Fridays. We aren't sure what brought Martha down (she fell), we think it might have been a debilitating stroke or heart attack, but for whatever reason, she could not function. Her twin was there and went to go in to the house to call 911, only to fall herself. We know Jean tried desperately to be able to get up, but she had to have hurt herself in a catastrophic way, because she could not move. Both died that night, outside (19°), one trying to save the other.
The news went worldwide. The tragedy gave their story wheels, but what was left was the real story of how both girls lived their lives: true to themselves, honest, loving and dedicated to others. These two women were irreplaceable, beloved and will be sorely missed by so many.
They were 97 when they left us.
They were born together and they died together.
The family moved to 13 Laura St., Prov. (paternal g-father built the house) within the twins first year. She attended Hope High School, then graduated from Lincoln School. She entered Bradford Junior College where she was in the Glee Club, Modern Dance and tennis but finally had to give up the dance & tennis programs because of a rheumatic heart. After graduating from Bradford, she took a one-year course at Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School. Being a secretary had been an earlier ambition of hers. She mentioned in one of her diaries that her teenage years were "full of dances, beau's & party dresses"! She also dreamed of being an architect and loved going over blueprints for homes she would like to build.
During her year at Katherine Gibbs, she became engaged to Charles Roger Williams, Jr. They married one year later, November 28th, in a last minute wedding before he went off to Europe during WW11. While her husband was at war, in 1944 she, her twin and their best friend went to Palm Beach, FL for the winter and worked at Saks Fifth Avenue on the famous Worth Avenue.
When Roger came home and was discharged as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force, Sept. 1945, the lived in Providence until late 1947, then moving to Burlington, VT where her husband had a new job. In April of 1950, they adopted a 2 month old baby girl. In 1951, Martha's father asked Roger to join his company "Douglas Young, Inc." as a salesman. Roger accepted and the family moved to Barrington, RI.
Martha had a baby boy, Douglas in 1954 and another, Charles, in 1956.
The family spent summers boating, cruising throughout Narragansett Bay, Block Island, the Vineyard, Nantucket and even went via the boat to the World's Fair in NY in 1964!
She was a member of the Junior Women's Club and was on various civic committees as well as being active with the Barrington Women's Republican Club and the DAR.
In retirement years, she and Roger spent winters in Fort Myer's Beach, still living in Barrington on the water in summers until Roger died in 2004. They had an idyllic marriage for 61 yrs.
Martha maintained an extremely active life, often visiting with her sisters. She was still driving and enjoying life to the fullest. Her joie de vivre and exuberant energy delighted everyone she came across. Her obvious open-hearted persona allowed everyone to express their love and delight for her as well as her always expressing to all, how much she truly loved and enjoyed them.
Martha's priority in life was to put all others before herself, especially family, in any way she possibly could. She was fiercely driven towards this formidable intention and her self-sacrifice at every turn shaped all that were in her world and beyond, creating her legacy.
Both Martha & her sister Jean, died the same night, after having a wonderful time out, like they always did on Fridays. We aren't sure what brought Martha down (she fell), we think it might have been a debilitating stroke or heart attack, but for whatever reason, she could not function. Her twin was there and went to go in to the house to call 911, only to fall herself. We know Jean tried desperately to be able to get up, but she had to have hurt herself in a catastrophic way, because she could not move. Both died that night, outside (19°), one trying to save the other.
The news went worldwide. The tragedy gave their story wheels, but what was left was the real story of how both girls lived their lives: true to themselves, honest, loving and dedicated to others. These two women were irreplaceable, beloved and will be sorely missed by so many.
They were 97 when they left us.
They were born together and they died together.
Family Members
Siblings
