Dorothy MARTELLE, who moved to Wellsville more than 60 years ago but never fully left her native Maine behind, died June 30, 2026 at Wellsville Manor after a long struggle against Alzheimer’s. She was two months shy of her 90th birthday.
Music was never far from the center of Dorothy’s life. Born in Lewiston, Maine, in the depths of the Great Depression, she soon moved with her family to Portland. As a teenager she regularly sang in local venues and occasionally made forays to Boston for performances. In 1953, she and fellow members of the New England Chorus released a regionally distributed record, and she sang on several radio programs in Portland.
While in high school, she went on a double date with a friend who was seeing Walter “Mickey” Martelle. In short order the dates flipped and Dorothy and Mickey, a budding journalist, quickly became inseparable. Shortly after graduation, they married in Portland on July 31, 1954, and their first child, Michael, followed in August 1955 but sadly died six months later. After that came Daniel, Scott, Lisa, Craig, and Jennifer.
Dorothy and family moved to Wellsville in 1965 for Mickey’s new job as managing editor of the Wellsville Daily Reporter (he eventually held a succession of jobs, beginning with the Air Preheater Company). Dorothy’s time was dominated by taking care of the children, giving singing and piano lessons on her prized baby grand piano, and volunteering with the Hemlock Twig of Jones Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, among other activities. A founding member of the now-50-year-old Genesee Valley Chorus, she was a regular presence for their performances. She also held a smattering of jobs, including briefly working in real estate, before finally resuming a path diverted by marriage and family: Higher education.
Dorothy graduated from Alfred University in 1984, the same day her daughter Lisa and son Scott received their degrees from Fredonia State. After that came two master’s degrees in English and, after a brief foray into secondary education, she spent more than 25 years as an adjunct professor in Alfred University’s English Department, with British author Thomas Hardy a particular area of focus.
For many years Dorothy was an active bridge player, with longtime friend Sylvia Masin, among others, and enjoyed board games, quilting, and walks around the village. She loved traveling and, beyond annual trips to Maine, she and Mickey made several visits to Europe with Alfred University groups, and a memorable trip to Paris with close friends Susan and Paul Strong.
Dorothy was predeceased by her husband, Mickey, and sons Michael and Daniel. She is survived by Scott (Margaret) Martelle of Rochester, Craig (Tammy) Martelle of Conestoga, Pa., Lisa Harvey of Millersville, Maryland, Jennifer (Steve) Heicklen of Medford Lakes, N.J., and daughter-in-law Karen (Daniel) Martelle; 19 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, as well as her sister Frances Coggins of South Portland, Maine, and brother George (Joanne) Morgan of Westbrook, Maine; many nieces and nephews, and family friend Jean Richmond.
No memorial service is planned. A private distribution of her ashes in Maine will be scheduled by the family. Memorials may be made to David A. Howe Library or Jones Memorial Hospital Auxiliary’s Hemlock Twig.
Arrangements are under the direction of Olney-Foust & Embser Funeral Homes & Cremation, 34 West State Street, Wellsville, NY. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wellsvillefuneralhome.com.
