Martha V. Hanafin

Martha Victoria Malone Hanafin, 94, a lifelong Milton resident, died peacefully in her sleep at the Dwyer Home in Weymouth, where she lived for seven years.

Born in Boston on April 17, 1931, Martha was one of three siblings, including a brother, the late Richard Malone, and a younger sister, Phyllis Estabrook of Winchester. When they were teenagers, Martha and Phyllis took the train during the summers to Peacham, Vt., where they worked at The Elms, which hosted writers’ retreats, waiting on tables. The three children would play hooky and go swimming together in Jamaica Pond.

She graduated from Roxbury Memorial High School, where she was good in math. Then she went to Burdette College of Business and Shorthand, and went to work at Stone and Webster on Batterymarch Street. She lived in Egleston Square with her family.

In 1954, she married the late John Michael Hanafin, who grew up a few doors down from her in Milton; they played together as children. They were married for 43 years and had three children.

Later, she was a bookkeeper at the Milton Flower Shop, and became a certified home health aide, working at Anodyne in Quincy, and spent over a decade with one family.

Martha was a sweet and loving woman, kind to everyone she met, devoted to her family and dear friends. She hosted holidays at her home and cooked for extended family. On days off from school, she took her children on fun adventures to Paragon Park, Nantasket Beach, Cunningham Park, and Dairy Freeze; the family took summer vacations at Little Squam Lake in New Hampshire.

She is survived by her children Michael John Hanafin of Milton, Marie Trost (Chris Trost) of Belmont, and the late Lorraine Miceli; by grandchildren John M. Hanafin (Kristen) of Marshfield, Spike Hanafin (Amy) of Marshfield, Lauren Jean Meinelt (Johnny) of De Leon Springs, FL, Jonathan Blake Miceli (Alex) of Montauk, NY, and Christine Pierson of Brooklyn, NY. Also survived by 5 great grandchildren.  

Her family will dearly miss her sweetness and kindness.

Visiting hours at the Alfred D. Thomas Funeral Home, 326 Granite Ave., Milton, Tuesday 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.  Funeral Mass at St. Agatha Church, Milton, on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Burial at Milton Cemetery.  

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