Martha O. Pillsbury

Martha O. Pillsbury, age 94 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, formerly of Manville, NJ, died on Monday, September 25, 2017 in Foothill Acres Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, Hillsborough, NJ. Born in Danville, PA, May 1, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Nicholas and Helen Werley Orphan. Martha excelled in school and was a 1945 graduate of Bucknell University. She was an English and French teacher, and later a book-buyer for Baker & Taylor. Martha was a lifelong community volunteer; tutored English to the foreign-born, volunteered at Somerville Food Bank and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, and helped with countless charitable activities within her church. As one of the earliest members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Somerville, NJ., Martha was an active participant for decades. Martha was a devoted wife and dedicated mother of six children. Her husband, John Pillsbury, died in 2005. Surviving are her children: John Pillsbury, Jr. and wife Denise of Lake Tahoe, CA, Richard Pillsbury and wife Grace of Sebastopol, CA, Paula Marotta and husband David of Jupiter, FL, Brian Pillsbury and his wife Kim of Mercerville, NJ, Scott Pillsbury and wife Patricia of Somerset, NJ, and Susan Andersen and husband Michael of Raritan Township, NJ; twelve grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Martha will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor and kind generosity to others. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 30 at 11:00 am at Good Shepherd Church, 300 Union Avenue, Somerville, NJ. Interment in the church Memorial Garden will be at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Memorial Garden, 300 Union Avenue, Somerville, NJ 08876. Arrangements are under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ.