Lasting Memories

Martha Jane Eastman
1926-Nov. 9, 2008
Atherton, California

Martha Jane Eastman of Atherton died Nov. 9 of pancreatic cancer. She was 82.

Born in Portland, Maine, Ms. Eastman graduated from St. Joseph's Academy and Westbrook Junior College, where she majored in chemistry. In her 20s she worked in several businesses, including the Jordan Marsh Co. in Boston,where she was a watch buyer. In 1946 she married Therald Carlton Eastman Sr. of Boston. Mr. Eastman died in 1989. While living in Boston, Ms. Eastman was a community volunteer and, in 1973, became a real estate broker.

Relocating to California in 1989 to be near her children, she started Kumquats, an interior accessories business. Ms. Eastman married Joseph Donnelly, a longtime family friend, in 1996. For several years she was a volunteer in the library of Trinity Episcopal School in Menlo Park. When her husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, she worked on behalf of Peninsula Volunteers Inc., and its Rosener House facility to address this issue, say family members.

Ms. Eastman is survived by her husband, Joseph S. Donnelly of Atherton; daughter, Francesca M. Eastman of Atherton, and son Therald C. Eastman of Santa Clara.