Just weeks after Martha E. Barden was born on May 22, 1923, in Providence, R.I., she began to enjoy her family legacy begun in 1890, a yearly summer residence at Kenilworth cottage in the Camp Ground in Oak Bluffs. As a child, Martha spent her school years studying dutifully but longing desperately for idyllic summer months on Martha’s Vineyard. On Island, she attended vacation bible school, swam, fished, read, biked, enjoyed Tabernacle offerings, created and acted in family plays, reunited with relatives, met and became friends with new summer visitors and youthful Island summer employees at the Wesley House and Beatrice House, and in later years hosted family and friends in the much loved green-and-white gingerbread cottage.

Off Island, Martha received her nursing diploma in 1944 from Rhode Island Hospital and a baccalaureate from Boston University in 1956. From 1944-1959, she worked for the Metropolitan Nursing and Health Services Association. Martha later earned a master’s degree from Yale University with a major in Public Health Nursing in 1961. In that same year she joined the faculty at the University of Rhode Island, became an assistant professor in 1963, and was awarded an emerita designation upon retirement in 1990. Among several special awards, Martha will forever be remembered with the 1986 naming of The Martha Barden Heritage Room, a depository of historically significant manuscripts, memorabilia, photographs, oral histories and nursing books, located in Louise White Hall of the College of Nursing, University of Rhode Island.

She was an active member of Phillips Memorial Baptist Church in Cranston, R.I., volunteering her time on various committees and participating in many events. She achieved an admirable list of accomplishments reflecting her devotion to public service, including hostessing professional conferences, serving as alumnae class representative of the Yale School of Nursing, soliciting for United Way, working with flu programs for senior citizens, and raising awareness and funds for various health causes. Martha led a fulfilling, active life, and especially enjoyed time spent with family and friends, good books, fine dining, educational travels, and music and theatre performances.

Martha never failed to introduce summer guests to the charms of Martha’s Vineyard. Provided a choice of daily social activities, the visitor always left with a longing to return, and most did! Young family members delighted in selecting a special summer Vineyard T-shirt, courtesy of dear Aunt Martha. The summer guest books for family and friends attest to her years of wonderful hospitality and friendship.

Martha died suddenly on March 22, 2009, at Rhode Island Hospital. Born in Providence, she was predeceased by her parents, Emily Vennerbeck Barden and Albert Arnold Barden; siblings Albert A. Barden Jr. (Elizabeth S.), Kenneth V. Barden, and Dorothy E. (Betty) Barden; and her aunt Martha J. Datz (Theodore) — all previous Island summer residents.

Survivors include sister in law Beth Barden (survivor of Ken) of East Providence, R.I., niece Gertrude E. (Gee Gee) Barden (William Morey) of Porter Ranch, Calif.; nephews Howard S. Barden (Lindy) of Madison, Wisc., and Albert A. Barden,3rd (Cheryl) of Norridgewock, Me.; three grandnieces and two grandnephews; and three great-grandnieces and three great-grandnephews. She also leaves behind numerous friends, colleagues and caretakers who were her earthly angels, notably Al and Jo-Ann Eunson, Jean Miller, Diane Martins, Marie Pettis, Rita O’Neill, Marita McGowan and Alice Chaves.

All who knew Martha met a gentle, compassionate, humorous, intelligent, optimistic friend. Her family still thinks that her treasured Island was named, or should have been named, in her honor.

A memorial service celebrating her life followed by a collation will be held in Cranston, R.I., on May 16, 2009, at the Phillips Memorial Baptist Church at 11 a.m.. A private interment will take place at Old Greenville Cemetery in Greenville, R.I. For those wishing to honor Martha, gifts in her memory may be sent to Phillips Memorial Baptist Church, 565 Pontiac avenue, Cranston, R.I. 02910 or to the College of Nursing, University of Rhode Island, 2 Heathman Road, Kingston, R.I. 02881.