Martha Aldrich Matlick

Martha Aldrich Matlick, 85, a native of Watertown, New York, passed away peacefully at Kline Hospice House on July 16, 2023. Born on March 14, 1938, she was the daughter of Margaret Mary Doyle and Leo Aldrich. Martha was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and a graduate of Immaculate Heart Academy, both in Watertown, NY.

Following her mother into nursing, Martha became a Registered Nurse after completing a three-year program at Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Watertown, NY. In 1962, Martha graduated from St. John’s University in Queens, NY.  She earned a Master of Science in Nursing Education from the same institution in 1964. She continued her education in Educational Administration at the University of Miami, and completed a Doctorate in Educational Administration at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ( Virginia Tech) in Blacksburg, VA in 1990.

After working at St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York City, Martha’s professional career continued in Corning, NY at Corning Community College. In 1970, she and her mentor and colleague, Bernadene Hallinan Smith, were recruited to inaugurate the Nursing program at Howard County Community College in Columbia, MD. She spent the remainder of her career at HCCC before retiring and engaging in consultancy work in 2002. In retirement, Martha served as an active volunteer at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church and was a faithful presence within the St. Vincent De Paul Society in Frederick.  In 2021, Martha was selected to receive the Top Hat award, given each year to one dedicated Vincentian in the Baltimore Council consisting of 36 conferences and more than 880 Vincentians.  Martha demonstrated humble leadership and an exemplary commitment to direct service to the poor.  Many individuals and families in our local community have been recipients of Martha's generous spirit and financial assistance over the years during times of crisis.

Martha is survived by her beloved husband of forty-five years, Richard Kelly Matlick, her niece, Mary Aldrich Sarafianos and her husband, Stefan, and their children Mary Claire, George, Katherine and Theodore. In addition to her parents, Martha was predeceased by her brother, Richard “Dick” Aldrich.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, where Martha was a long-time parishioner, on Saturday July 22, 2023 at 11:00AM. The celebrant will be Fr. Chuck Wible. Burial will follow in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in downtown Frederick, MD.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in Martha’s name to either the Saint Vincent De Paul Society, 112 E. 2nd Street Frederick, MD 21701 or The Sacred Heart Foundation, 320 West Lynde Street, Watertown NY, 13601.