Martha King Campbell

Martha King Campbell, a 50+ year Ridgefield resident and New Englander at heart, passed away on July 5, 2024 at the age of 85. She was the devoted wife of the late David C. Campbell, dedicated mother to Heather, Doug and his wife Monika, Betsy and her husband Dave Imbrogno, as well as loving “Grammy” to grandchildren Alexandra, Caroline, Katie and Louis Imbrogno. Martha is survived by her half-sister Patricia Studhalter. Through the many challenges of her last few years, Martha maintained her sharpness and Yankee spirit until her last breath.

“I Love… A rocky coast and a seagull’s cry, building sandcastles at low tide. Covered bridges and cobblestone streets, crunching leaves beneath my feet. Warm apple cider in the fall, chipmunks on an old stone wall, woolen mittens in a row, making angels in the snow. Clam ‘chowda’ on old Cape Ann, corn-on-the-cob and Maine ‘lobsta’ traps. Fragrant lilac trees and a robin’s call, I love these things but most of all...I Love New England.” Unknown

Martha was born in Melrose, MA on March 6, 1939, daughter of the late Rodney and Maybelle Nute King. She spent her early years in Lynnfield, MA, grew up in Rockville Center Long Island with her father and late stepmother Jane Noble King, then chose Wells College in upstate NY to earn her Bachelor of Arts Degree (Class of 1960). Post graduation, an independent Martha took her excellent writing and public affairs skills from coast to coast working in the airline industry before landing back on the east coast at Harvard Business School where she met her future husband, David. Though she grew up in Long Island, Martha’s heart was always in New England where she had fond memories of Maine and Massachusetts summers with her grandparents and extended family.

After marrying David in 1967, they moved to Ridgewood, NJ where their two older children were born. The family packed up the station wagon and moved to Ridgefield, CT in 1971. Their third child was born shortly after they settled in. 

Martha always had something to say and an opinion to share. A force of nature, she didn’t just write a letter to the editor or just talk about it…she took action! Public relations and community service were at Martha’s core. Immediately recruited by the Ridgefield Jaycees, Martha along with David began many years of service to the town they loved and watched grow over the years. In addition to the Jaycees, Martha became active most notably with the Branchville School PTO, Board of Education, Ridgefield Women’s Club, American Red Cross Blood Mobile, Keeler Tavern Museum, and Ridgefield Housing Authority, plus anything and everything in which her kids were involved. In 2004, Martha and David were honored to be the first couple selected Citizens of the Year by Ridgefield’s Rotary Club, and in 2012 the Ridgefield Old Timers Association recognized their dedication as well. In 2023, Martha was celebrated for her long-time service in the Ridgefield Women’s Club.

When David retired, Martha and he enjoyed traveling and spending precious time with their four grandchildren on both coasts. Grammy and Grampy were always there to cheer them on, enthusiastically, at all events. Martha was a proud, protective, creative, and loving grandmother.

Over the years, Martha could be spotted dressed like Santa at the annual Keeler Tavern Holiday Boutique, Breakfast with Santa, and strolling down Main Street with her elf-dressed besties spreading Christmas cheer. It was always okay to wish her a Merry Christmas, and she wore a pin to remind everyone just that.

“Let us keep Christmas holding it close to our hearts – For its meaning never ends, and its spirit is the warmth and joy of remembering family and friends.” Unknown

In honor of her favorite time of year, a Christmas-themed memorial service will take place on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 11:00 AM at The First Congregational Church, 103 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT 06877. A reception will follow in The First Congregational Church’s Lund Hall. Interment will take place privately off the coast of Cape Ann Massachusetts.

To view the Zoom/live stream of the memorial service, please click the link here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82736058569?pwd=VXJzCefP4qQxJ56aMf5y35iSYIdYWb.1 The meeting ID is 827 3605 8569 and the passcode is 652181.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations in Martha’s memory be made locally to the Keeler Tavern Museum https://keelertavernmuseum.org/ or Ridgefield Library https://ridgefieldlibrary.org/, as Martha was an avid reader, contributor and grateful recipient of their Homebound Delivery Service; or her favorite animal protection organizations: Whale Conservation https://us.whales.org/or the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, where she loved to visit the panda, koala and polar bears http://www.sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org 

Kane Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.