Martha Lillian Russcol Was Broadway Singer

Martha Lillian Russcol of West Tisbury, the girl with the blue velvet voice, died peacefully Sept. 7 surrounded by family and friends at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital. She was 85.

She was a Broadway singer, champion tennis player, social worker, comedian and a devoted mother, grandmother and friend. She loved barbecue, beautiful flowers and irreverent humor.

Martha is survived by her cherished daughter, Toni Cohen, and son in law, Richard Cohen, at whose West Tisbury home she resided. She is also survived by her loving granddaughter, Amanda Cohen, also of West Tisbury.

The family would like to thank her caretakers, Carol Searle and Ann Sylvester, the wonderful women at the Edgartown senior center and the excellent nurses and doctors at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital.

A graveside service was held on Thursday, Sept. 8, in the West Tisbury Cemetery.

Donations in her memory can be made to the Martha's Vineyard Hospital, P.O. Box 1477, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557 or to the Senior Day Program, P.O. Box 1295, Edgartown, MA 02539.

Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, on the Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road in Oak Bluffs. Visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.