Martha Zullo

Martha Zullo, our beloved “Mother,” “Myrtle,” “Mema,” and “Grammie,” 91 years young, passed away on March 1st surrounded by her loving family.

Martha was born in Granville, New York on April 9, 1932, as the middle of three daughters to Lillian and Edwin Gregory. All three girls had beautiful, blonde curls. Martha, like her sisters, was small in stature but mighty in her love of family, friends, and animals. She graduated from Fair Haven Union High School in 1950 and shortly after, while working the counter at Prouse’s Restaurant in downtown Rutland, met her future husband, David, Sr. (Diamanti). A whirlwind courtship ensued, with many nights spent dancing at the Prospect House on Lake Bomoseen, before David, Sr. left for Norfolk, Virginia, where he was stationed in the Navy. From time to time over the years Martha would remark “What a handsome sailor he was!”

Early in their marriage, they lived with David, Sr.’s parents Bartolomeo and Frances, in a home on West Street in Rutland where only Italian was spoken, and pots of sauce were always bubbling on the stove. Later, Martha shared the delicious sauce recipe with a lucky few. David, Sr. ultimately bought Martha the house of her dreams on Lafayette Street, and Martha made a beautiful home for her family there. She was happiest when the house was filled with her children and their friends. She was a devoted and loving mother and grandmother, always supporting her children’s and grandchildren’s athletic, academic, and artistic endeavors.

Martha was very artistic. When her children were young, she would sit outside as they played, with an easel and her oil paints nearby. Later, she took up knitting and many family members and friends were blessed over the years with a baby sweater or blanket that she knit in the evenings while she watched her favorite Boston sports teams.

Martha introduced her children and grandchildren to Broadway shows and for years Martha and David, Sr. treated the family to annual weekend trips to New York City. The weekends were jam- packed with activities and fun, and always included a trip to FAO Schwartz for treats for the grandchildren, a Broadway show or two, dinner at Carmine’s Italian Restaurant, and at least one trip to Carnegie Deli for cheesecake before the day was done.

After raising her children, and never one to sit still, Martha joined her husband, son Terry, and daughter Tamara at the family business, The Sandwich Shoppe on Merchants Row. She soon became Rutland’s mom and grandmother to all who visited the Shoppe. She took great delight every day in meeting and greeting her customers and spending at least a few minutes with each one chatting about their families, the community, or the state of the world. She had a very special way of bringing out the best in everyone. Whatever the topic, the conversation always ended with a shared laugh or a hug.

While the family is deeply grieving her passing, they are comforted knowing that she is now in heaven with her loving daughter Tamara (Tammy) Delehanty. Her heart was broken by Tammy’s unexpected passing just a few short weeks ago. In addition to Tamara, Martha was predeceased by her parents and her two sisters and their spouses: Pauline (Ed) Kehoe and Lois (Bowen) Trombley.

Left to treasure her memory are her husband of 73 years David, Sr., her sons David (Judy) Zullo and Terry (Christine) Zullo, son-in-law Patrick Delehanty, grandsons Michael (Missi) Delehanty, Alec (Holly) Zullo, Jack Zullo (girlfriend Mary), granddaughter Tiffany (Roscoe) Ferris, great-
granddaughter Nova Ferris, step-grandsons Jamie Jensen (fiancée Paige), Andrew (Cassie) Valente and their children Vinny, Hattie and CC, step-granddaughters Amelia Valente and her sons Jordan and Jamar, Tina (Tim) Crean and their children Frankie and Stella, and Angelina Valente (fiancée Brooke). Martha also leaves behind her dog Maddie, close friend Sandra Birajiclian, close friend (and hairdresser) Lynn Ely and the many, many friends that she made at The Sandwich Shoppe over the years.

Martha was so generous with her attention, love, and compassion. There were no strangers in her life; only friends she hadn’t met yet.

Martha and her family are so appreciative of the loving care that she received over the last few years from Lilah R. Woodard, FNP, Rutland Regional Medical Center and Vijay M. Thadani, MD, PhD, Dartmouth Health. The family also wishes to thank the wonderful medical staff at Rutland Regional Medical Center for the loving care that Martha received in her final days.

Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Humane Society of Rutland, 765 Stevens Road, in Pittsford, Vermont 05763. Martha always said that if she had a million dollars, she would adopt all the homeless animals and create a sanctuary for them.

Calling hours will be at the Clifford Funeral Home in Rutland on March 16th from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. A Catholic mass will follow at 12:00 p.m. at Christ the King Church in Rutland. A burial will follow in the Spring. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Clifford Funeral Home.