Martha Chandler Kennedy
April 3, 1939 ~ January 10, 2025
Resided in:
Scarborough, Maine
Scarborough, Maine – Martha Chandler Kennedy passed away at Maine Medical Center on January 10, 2025 after a brief illness. She died peacefully surrounded by family. Martha Elizabeth Chandler was born in Lewiston, Maine on April 3, 1939, to the late John Winthrop Chandler and Jeannette Bonney (Record) Chandler.
Martha grew up in Auburn, Maine, spending summers in Scarborough, Maine at her family’s guest house, Sea-Ward, where she grew to love the beach and ocean. Martha raised her five children in Castleton, Vermont, working full-time while earning her bachelor’s degree in Education at Castleton State College. She graduated Cum Laude in 1982, the same year as her eldest son.
In 1986, Martha returned to Maine, working as a special education teacher at the Poland
School and then Lewiston High School. During the summers, she provided a warm welcome to guests at Sea-Ward into her eighties. Generations of guests who stay at Sea-Ward grew to love Martha, who became the heart of the Sea-Ward. She greeted guests with a hug, and she considered them as part of her extended Sea-Ward family.
Martha was predeceased by her brother, Benton Chandler. She is survived by her children, Michael Kennedy (wife Julie), Janis Ballantyne (husband Edward), Eric Kennedy (wife Tera), Lisa Kennedy (husband Michael Dee), Beth Edwards (husband Jonathan); twelve grandchildren, Joshua, Brenda, Michael, Jacinda, Marshall, Connor, Sean, Evan, Neil, Andrew, Lauren, Brian; brother, John Chandler (wife Joan); four great-grandchildren Sophia, Lucas, Vincent, Zander; and beloved nephews, nieces, and cousins.
Martha was the best mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to her family. She loved all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren unconditionally, and she supported them with her love, time, and wisdom. Martha loved animals, and she was an enthusiastic Celtics fan. She will be missed by all those touched by her warmth.
A celebration of life will take place at noon on May 31 at Sea-Ward on the Ocean Front in Scarborough.
The lifestream of the funeral service will begin on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 5pm. You can view the lifestream at www.facebook.com/ConroyTullyWalker.
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We are so with all of you. We alreadymiss her.
I am so sad to hear of Martha’s passing and will miss her greatly. My deepest sympathy to everyone in Martha’s family and I will keep you in prayers for peace and healing.
I stayed at Sea-ward at least once a year for many decades and was always greeted by Martha’s welcoming smile.
Martha genuinely loved all her guests and family. She was delightful to talk with and we had many conversations, sitting in rockers on the front porch, watching the moonrise over the ocean.
We shared a love of flowers and gardens, and the Sea-ward was always surrounded with flowers.
I’ll miss you, Grammie <3
I had the pleasure of meeting Martha a few years ago with her friend Nicole . She welcomed me with Line at Sea Ward. She was the heart and soul of this wonderful and peaceful ocean front guest house. I will remember it forever xx Louise Daoust Montréal
I will remember lovely chats with Martha and her endearing smile during my August stays at Sea Ward…
Heartfelt sympathies to the Chandler Kennedy family…looking forward to next summer and adding notes to the guestbook.
Lucie Benoit
Montréal
It is with much sadness we learned the news of Martha’s passing. We will hold on to the memories of her smile and gentleness over the many decades we were blessed to know her. We will think of her in our reflections of the quiet morning hours at Sea-ward, the afternoons coming back from the beach and the calm nights in the rockers. Her warmth and kindness was a staple that was felt by generations of our family. We extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to her loving family.
Renee and the Randazzo family
Martha was an awesome,friendly and welcoming friend. At one point I would go to Seaward to swim and sunbathe and visit with Martha, then in past years we would simply visit and have lunch together, lobster roll from Baileys.
We taught together for several years in Poland and then we’re in Lewiston in different schools. She also came to some of my gatherings at my home. Loved this hard working, lovely woman.
Always willing to adjust to her varying situations, including going back to college to finish her degree while raising her five children.
Kind, caring and loved family
I will genuinely miss Martha! Wonderful, thoughtful, caring lady, who loved her family. RIP Martha