Martha Burke Bertolette, 87, died on December 25, 2011 at Waterbury Hospital. She had been living at the Watermark East Hill, Southbury, Connecticut. Martha, or Mops, as she was known by many, was born in Plainfield, New Jersey, August 17, 1924. She was the daughter of Charles Clinton Burke, Jr. and Ruth Chipman Segur Burke, of Waterbury, Connecticut. She is survived by Reed Bertolette, her husband of 60 years, her sister Ruth Burke Fraser, her three children - daughter Katharine Hess and sons Reed Bertolette, Jr. and Russell Edward Bertolette, and two grandsons, Alek and Russell Hess. Reed and Mops were married on September 8, 1951 and lived in North Carolina, Illinois, and California before settling in Woodbury, Connecticut in 1962. Mops graduated from The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, New York after which she attended Smith College. During WWII, she had training in nursing and later held various positions in New York City. Martha was a great lover of books, and reading was her love and pastime all her life. After attending Smith College, she worked at Rosenbach's, a rare bookseller in New York City. Later, she volunteered many hours for the Woodbury Public Library, for which she served on the board. She was known as a kind, considerate person, teaching Sunday school in each community in which she resided. She had a life love of tennis and golf. She also loved modern art and enjoyed painting as a pastime. Mops was a true artist as a knitter and was known among her friends and family as a talented and prolific creator of custom sweaters. Martha was involved in her community and active in politics. She was a longtime member in the Woodbury Democratic Town Committee, served as Town Selectman in Woodbury, and was nominated to run for Connecticut State Assembly. If there were any advice she would pass on, it would be to avoid or quit smoking.

Memorials: Donations may be made in her name to the Woodbury Public Library, 269 Main St South, Woodbury, 06798 or to the American Lung Association, 45 Ash St., East Hartford, 06108.

Cemetery: Cemetery Not Applicable

Location: Munson-Lovetere Southbury

Funeral: 1st Congregational Church of Woodbury

Services: A memorial for the celebration of her life and family will be held Saturday, April 14 at 2: 00 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Woodbury, 214 Main St. South.

Visitation: There are no calling hours.