Martha Ellen Osmun
Born in New Jersey to John and Mildred Osmun in 1947, Martha spent her youth footloose and fancy free, and enjoyed helping and playing in her families store “Osmun’s” in Maplewood, NJ.
Her parents took her on many boat trips, including to Vermont, which her father fell in love with. When Martha was 18 they moved to the Green Mountain State, where John began a campground, and she attended Castleton State College. After graduating in 1970, she began putting down her own Vermont roots, building her family and her community.
Mama Bear
Martha wore many hats (straw, or otherwise) and was passionate about the earth, the ocean, the birds and flowers. Above all, she loved her family. She poured her heart into raising her three daughters, Meadow, Tirzha, and Gracey.
She was affectionately called “Mama Bear” by her youngest, Gracey, because of how fiercely she felt for her girls, and did her best to protect them.
In 2023, Martha’s eldest, Meadow, was married in a beautiful affair held in Martha’s own campground. It was a special day for both Meadow, and her mother.
Her middle daughter, Tirzha, has wanted to be a mother herself since she was little, and when she had her own daughter, Cora Juanita, Martha earned the new name “MyMy”.
Martha loved spending time with Cora, a little sponge who happily soaked up MyMy’s teachings about flora and fauna, baking, and more. The two loved doing puzzles together, and generally exploring the wilds around MyMy’s home.
Martha the Worker
Through the years Martha had many careers, but the ones that held her heart and her passion was her approximately 30 years at the Shelburne Museum, and many years as a land lady and Campground proprietor.
At the Shelburne Museum her favorite work was in the Weaving Shed, where she created works of art on all kinds of historical looms, including the Jacquard loom.
Aside from paid work, she was always moving. Taking care of her chickens, her garden, her home, and her daughters and granddaughter. Martha was a constant worker, from the morning when she got up and did her chicken work, through the afternoon for gardening and campsite work, and into the evening for all those miscellaneous things that pile up through the day.
Many may not have noticed the work that went on behind her smile, but she had lots to do and did her best to do it. Luckily, much of her “work” she loved. She loved her chickens, her children and granddaughter, her garden and flowers, and her campers. She met many interesting and kind people, and even made good friends with a few of her regulars.
Martha’s Spirit
Martha had an adventurous and voracious spirit, an artistic eye and a love for everything around her. While we remember her kindness, let us all try to put more kindness out into the world.
We will miss you always Martha, Mama, MyMy
And will hold you in our hearts <3