With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Martha Waluk, at age 83. She passed away peacefully at Newport Hospital with her children by her side, embracing her in love.

Martha was born in Newport, RI and was raised in Jamestown and East Greenwich, RI. After marrying her true love, the late Joseph Waluk, she lived the rest of her life in Newport, a town she loved. She was the daughter of the late May and Donald Sanford, and the sister of the late Janice Sanford.

She is survived by her daughter Margaret Paolo and son-in-law Nicholas Paolo, her daughter Amy Waluk, her daughter Melissa Waluk, her son Michael Waluk and daughter-in-law Josianne Waluk, her son David Waluk and daughter-in-law Jeanie Waluk, and her son Peter Waluk and daughter-in-law Cherie Waluk. She is also survived by her adored grandchildren: Ryan, John, Aidan, Tyler, Brayden, Colsyn, Jake, Luke, Rose, May, Waverly, Brixton, and Calix.

Martha was a truly beautiful soul. She always had a smile on her face, and was more positive than sunshine! She always had a kind word in her soft-spoken manner. She made us all laugh often. We joked that she was a thousand years more evolved than us, as she showed unconditional love, compassion, and understanding.

Martha graduated from the Newport Hospital School of Nursing. She enjoyed helping others during her career as an RN at Newport Hospital. In her nursing career, she had numerous letters that patients and families of patients that wrote letters thanking her for making their stay in the hospital so much better. I remember her getting them and was always so proud of what a compassionate nurse she was. She was really beloved by staff and patients. She had many interests, including the theater, the arts, festivals, spending the day at 3rd Beach with her family, tending her beautiful gardens, caring for the birds with her numerous bird feeders, caring for her precious cats, and music-especially Harry Styles and Ed Sheeren.

Martha was passionate about family vacations. While she was on one vacation, she would already be planning the next. She enjoyed numerous trips to Disney, New Hampshire, the Cape, Italy, Ireland, England, the Bahamas, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Colorado, Alaska and cruises. Marth was the BEST mother we could ever ask for. She was a great support, always willing to listen and never judgmental.

Martha absolutely cherished her grandchildren. If you were lucky enough to have Martha as your "Grammy," then you had an amazing childhood. She gladly babysat her grandchildren at any time. She paid attention of every detail at her grandchildren's evolving favorite toys, hobbies, books, clothing, and activities. She filled her home with those items and they loved visiting Grammy. Even though in her 80s, she continued this magical life for her youngest grandchildren, who at age 4 loves Sesame Street. Grammy made sure he had every single Sesame Street stuffed animal, figure, book, and then took him on a trip to Sesame Place. She took great satisfaction in attending her grandchildren's performances in plays, musicals, dance, and band, and in their numerous sports, including football, cheerleading, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, and basketball.

Her wish was to not have a funeral. Burial will be private. Donations in her memory can be made to The Potter League for Animals: 87 Oliphant Lane, Middletown, RI 02842. www.potterleague.org (401-846-0592).