Martha Grout

Martha Grout, 80, of Taunton transitioned peacefully early Sunday morning, October 11, 2026 following a long illness. 

Born February 22, 1946 in Bowen, Mendoza, Argentina, she is survived by her husband, Ken; three children: Gerald Gutierrez of New Hampshire; Marcus Gutierrez of Vermont; and Natalie (Kevin) Bows of Taunton; three grandchildren: Sofia Gutierrez of New Hampshire, Lio Gutierrez of Vermont, and Nicolas Buchanan of New Hampshire; a sister, Lucia Martinez of Argentina; many loving in-laws, nieces, and nephews in both the United States and Argentina, including Dr. Nicolas (Vicky) Llosa of Maryland and Dr. Pablo (Valeria) Llosa of Argentina. She was pre-deceased by her parents (Angel and Micaela Martinez) and by a sister, Susana Llosa. Visitation and a service will be held at Silva Funeral Home on Sunday, October 25, beginning at 2:00pm. Interment will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Taunton.

Martha was a Renaissance woman. A microbiologist by trade, she managed Channing Laboratory of Brigham & Women's and Harvard Medical School in Boston for a quarter century, working to identify a treatment or cure for cystic fibrosis. She was a contributor to dozens of research papers and publications, and she presented research findings at national conferences. After retiring in 2011, she was a tutor at an after school Spanish immersion program in Easton.

A talented gymnast and dancer, Martha had a special affinity for flamenco and tango. She loved her plants, flower arranging, her pets, animals, knitting, crocheting, playing the guitar and piano, and singing. She garnered great satisfaction from cooking and baking for friends and family, especially when she was designing a theme cake for someone special to her.

Martha attended college first in Argentina, completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education. Later, she received a Master’s Degree in Microbiology from St. Bonaventure University in Allegany, New York. A resident of Salamanca, New York from 1973 to 1986, she was very involved with the community, in particular the Salamanca YMCA. She founded and ran a successful gymnastics program as well as the popular YMCA Camp-in-the-Woods, an ecumenical summer camp held annually in Allegany State Park. In addition, the local Chamber of Commerce named her Salamanca Citizen of the Year, an acknowledgment of which she was very proud.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, October 25, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., with a service beginning at 4:00 p.m. at Silva Funeral Home, 80 Broadway (at Saint Mary’s Square), Taunton.

Additional parking with handicap access is located on the North side of the funeral home.

Burial will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026, in Saint Joseph Cemetery, 475 East Britannia Street, Taunton. Relatives and friends may meet at the entrance of the cemetery at 10:45 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Martha’s memory to the Taunton Animal Care Facility, 821 W. Water Street, Taunton, MA 02780, or via giving@ymcaboston.org would be deeply appreciated.

Martha’s family would like to thank Beyond Comfort Personal Care of New Bedford, the entire team at Regal Care in Taunton, and everyone at Old Colony Hospice for providing such thoughtful and thorough care throughout the duration of Martha’s illness.

NOTE: MARTHA ADORED FLOWERS, SO FEEL FREE TO SEND USING SILVA'S PREFERRED FLORIST LINK. IF YOU PREFER, MARTHA'S FAMILY SUGGESTS THAT YOU DONATE IN HER NAME TO EITHER THE TAUNTON ANIMAL SHELTER (821 West Water Street - Taunton, MA 02780. Phone: 508-822-1463) OR THE FRIENDS OF ALLEGANY STATE PARK (friendsofallegany.com), OR THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA (bgca.org). THANK YOU.