MARTHA I. AHLSTROM (FRIBERG)

     Martha I. (Friberg) Ahlstrom, 95, of Holden, passed away under the care of her family and the staff at the Holden Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center on Thursday, June 9, 2016. Martha was born in Lonsboda, Sweden, the youngest of nine children of John and Hilda (Oleson) Friberg. Her family settled in the Belmont Hill section of Worcester where she lived before moving to Holden with her husband, John R. Ahlstrom in 1958.

Martha had a passion for music her entire life. She graduated from North High School in Worcester and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the New England Conservatory in Boston, graduating in 1941. Martha taught piano privately for over 60 years. She was a member of the First Congregational Church of Holden and served as music director for several years. She had many passions including photography, camping, refinishing furniture and chair caning.

Martha was predeceased by her husband of 44 years, John R. Ahlstrom, who died in 2002. She is survived by her daughter, Christine Russian and her husband, Dana of Winchester; her son, J. Mark Ahlstrom of Jackson, NH; two grandchildren, Katherine and Gregory Russian and several nieces and nephews. Martha was predeceased by eight brothers and sisters.

A funeral service honoring Martha’s life will be held at 1 pm on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at the First Congregational Church of Holden, 1180 Main St., Holden. Burial will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park, 217 Richards Ave., Paxton. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the First Congregational Church of Holden, United Church of Christ, 1180 Main St., Holden, MA 01520.