Yvonne Martel

Yvonne R. Martel, affectionately known as "Birdie," passed away peacefully on January 15, 2025, at Edgewood Health Center in Portsmouth, NH, after a courageous 20-year battle with Lewy Body Dementia. She was 84 years old.

Born on May 1, 1940, in Wolfeboro, NH, Yvonne was the daughter of Leo and Orana (Champagne) Gauthier. She spent her early years in Wolfeboro before moving to Rochester and eventually settling in Dover, NH.

Yvonne led a life rich with hard work, love, and adventure. As a teenager, she worked at a local apple orchard, and as an adult, she dedicated herself to local shoeshops and the Sawyermills factory outlet before retiring from Moore North America after 25 years of service in 2000. She was a proud member of the Moore Old Timers Club.

A woman of many passions, Yvonne found joy in spending time with her family, snowmobiling, and pulling sleds with her children and dog during winters at the family camp in Dummer, NH. She and her beloved husband, Robert "Bob" Martel, shared a love for motorcycling, often traveling as members of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA). Their journeys took them across New England and as far as Pennsylvania. A lifelong Elvis Presley fan, Yvonne cherished a memorable trip to Nashville and Memphis, TN, with her family, where they visited Graceland.

Above all, Yvonne treasured her role as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She found her greatest happiness in the company of her children and grandchildren.

Yvonne is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Robert J. Martel; her children, Rodney J. Martel (Janet), Penny L. Poligni (Stephen), Cindy M. Albertson (Kevin), Sandra L. Gagnon (Joseph), and stepdaughter Sharon E. Latture (Robert). She also leaves behind 15 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, her sisters Gloria Gauthier (Clarence) and Jean Baker (Carlyle), and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

She was predeceased by her daughter, Deborah J. Cormier (Michael), her grandson Jonathan M. Cormier, her stepdaughter, Marlene T. Martel, and her sister, Leora Gray (Stanley).

A graveside service and burial will be held at a later date.

Yvonne's family extends heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers at Edgewood Health Center and Compassus Hospice for their compassionate support and care during Yvonne's illness. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to organizations supporting dementia research