Mary Martha Tonra Lee
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Martha Lee, beloved wife of Richard Lee, passed away in Naples, FL on May 8, 2021.
Martha Scanlon was born in South Boston on February 22, 1940--Washington's birthday--and was named for the first First Lady. The daughter of James Scanlon and Pelma Giguere Scanlon, she was raised by her mother and beloved stepfather Walter Sweeney in Dedham, MA.
Martha attended Dedham High School. After graduation, she returned to Boston to attend Gibbs Secretarial College, and worked as an office manager for many years.
Martha lived in Needham, MA while raising her sons Wally and Jim. She was an avid tennis player, and met the love of her life, Richard "Dick" Lee, in 1983 on the courts of the Charles River Country Club in Newton. Though Martha and Dick met playing tennis, they grew to love golf as well, and when they retired to Naples, FL in 1991, they were early members of the Vineyards Country Club, where Martha played in the women's golf league. Her golfing career included two holes in one. She also enjoyed yoga and mahjong with friends at the Vineyards.
Martha delighted in travel. She and Dick took many cruises and vacationed in exotic locales such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Europe, Hawaii, and Alaska. She also enjoyed adventures including a memorable hot air balloon ride in the Southwestern desert, and cruising through the Panama Canal.
Martha is remembered with love by her husband Richard Lee, sons James Edward Tonra Jr. of Wilmington, MA (Elizabeth Brewer Tonra) and Walter Andrew Tonra of Norfolk, VA, grandchildren Paige Martha Tonra, Melissa Tonra, Andrew Tonra, Ryan Tonra, and Parker Tonra, and stepdaughters Deborah Lee (Robert Wingert) and Nancy Lee (James Pergola). Martha was sister to Pelma Gallant of Worcester, MA, Beverly Cawley of Dedham, MA, and the late Richard Scanlon and James Scanlon.
There will be a reception held for Martha on June 25th. Please reach out to Jim Tonra for specific details at [email protected].
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105. https://avowcares.org/donate-now/