From the arts to history to the little church on Salmon Falls Rd., a city stalwart is lost

Martha Fowler and the Rochester Historical Society she nurtured so well. (Courtesy photos)

ROCHESTER - Martha J. Fowler, longtime president of the Rochester Historical Society, business manager at the Rochester Opera House and treasurer at Walnut Grove Baptist Church, has died.

Fowler, 65, died on Tuesday at Gosnell Memorial Hospice Home in Scarborough, Maine, following a brief illness.

Fowler, who devoted much of her life to preserving the city's history through articles in local publications and journals, was born in Rochester and graduated from Spaulding High School. She went on to earn both bachelor's and master's degree before working as a claims representative and operations manager for the Social Security Administration in Lowell, Mass.

Later in life she spent her time leading the city's Historical Society, working at the Opera House and volunteering vast amounts of time as clerk and treasurer at her beloved Walnut Grove Church on Salmon Falls Road, where she enjoyed spending time with her "church family."

Fowler's death was met on Wednesday with sadness yet fond remembrance.

"Words cannot express the sadness we feel," read a post on the Rochester Opera House Facebook page. "Her contributions to the Rochester Opera House and Rochester Historical Society were immeasurable. She was very civic-minded, a talented writer, and had a great sense of humor. She loved her hometown of Rochester and worked hard to make it a better place for future generations. Her passing is a devastating loss and we will miss her greatly."

Rochester Opera House Executive Director Anthony Ejarque called Fowler "instrumental" in the growth of the Opera House.

"I had the pleasure of working with Martha for over 13 years," Ejarque said. "I don't think one could find a more unlikely pairing yet we worked well together."

Tributes attesting to Fowler's tenacity and perseverance in preserving the history of Rochester also showed up on the Rochester Historical Society Facebook page.

"I have known Martha for many years and she always helped me if I needed any research on Rochester Cemeteries," Michelle StJean Smith wrote. "I will miss our talks, her historical articles in the paper, and her smile. One very special lady who will be missed by many."

Her obituary can be found in The Rochester Voice obituary section.