Obituary for Martha B Drociak (Bishop)
On 2/22/22, Martha B Drociak, 68, passed away with her loving husband and daughters by her side, after a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. Martha was a two-time cancer survivor. She fought each with the utmost class and grace.
Martha grew up in Bedford, New Hampshire. Born on August 23, 1953, Martha was the daughter of Robert and Doris Bishop. After graduating from West High School, Martha went on to work with children both as a Home Economics assistant and then with special education students in many capacities. Her students knew her as “Mrs. D.” and she touched the lives of all those she worked with.
When Martha (Marty) was just 15, she met the love of her life, Frank Drociak of Manchester, New Hampshire. Frank and Marty shared a true love story, a marriage just short of 50 years. Their most prized accomplishment was their two children, Melissa Morin, husband John Morin and their 3 daughters, Molly, Riley and Lindsey of Barrington, New Hampshire and Beth Berry, husband Gardner Berry of Concord, New Hampshire. You could often hear Marty and Frank talking with others about their family. There was no bigger smile on Marty’s face than when she was spending time with her family and friends.
The idea of community played into Frank and Marty’s foundation. After raising their two children in Hooksett, New Hampshire, they moved to Strafford, New Hampshire in 2005. Here, Marty came back to her roots on Bow Lake, a place where she spent most of her childhood. Bow Lake was a special place for Marty, specifically Kooaukee Island where she developed a strong sense of community. You could often find Marty and Frank on their golf cart visiting their neighbors, entertaining on their party boat or at their tiki bar.
Marty was a woman of strong faith. She loved time with friends, playing cribbage, fantasy football, traveling, baking, boating, but she especially loved her gardens. She took pride in the beautiful gardens that surrounded her forever home. It was this passion that led Marty to become a volunteer at her community’s children’s garden. In December a donation of over $9,320 was donated to the Strafford Children’s Garden in her name, a donation raised by the many lives that Marty touched throughout the years.
In addition to her children and grandchildren, Marty shared in love with her sister Bonnie Bickford, husband Karl Bickford, brother Arthur Bishop, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Marty’s family had the ultimate privilege of caring for her over the past year. Toward the end of her journey, it was the tight family bond that she crafted so magically, that helped to give her family strength to care for her. They are grateful for that opportunity. Her family would like to thank the many neighbors and friends that have supported Marty over the last year. It was so fitting that the very community that meant so much to her, helped guide her in faith and friendship throughout her journey. Thank you to the wonderful doctors and nurses at Seacoast Cancer Center and Cornerstone VNA that treated Marty with loving care and support.
Calling hours will be held on February 28, 2022 from 4:00pm – 7:00pm at Purdy Memorial Chapel, 2 Concord Road, Lee, New Hampshire. A memorial service will be held for family and friends at 10:00am on March 1, 2022 at the Bow Lake Free Baptist Church, 530 Province Road, Strafford, New Hampshire. Donations can be made in Marty’s name to Amy’s Treat, a mission that provides solutions to day-to-day difficulties to people living with cancer, PO Box 2234 Dover, New Hampshire.
Martha grew up in Bedford, New Hampshire. Born on August 23, 1953, Martha was the daughter of Robert and Doris Bishop. After graduating from West High School, Martha went on to work with children both as a Home Economics assistant and then with special education students in many capacities. Her students knew her as “Mrs. D.” and she touched the lives of all those she worked with.
When Martha (Marty) was just 15, she met the love of her life, Frank Drociak of Manchester, New Hampshire. Frank and Marty shared a true love story, a marriage just short of 50 years. Their most prized accomplishment was their two children, Melissa Morin, husband John Morin and their 3 daughters, Molly, Riley and Lindsey of Barrington, New Hampshire and Beth Berry, husband Gardner Berry of Concord, New Hampshire. You could often hear Marty and Frank talking with others about their family. There was no bigger smile on Marty’s face than when she was spending time with her family and friends.
The idea of community played into Frank and Marty’s foundation. After raising their two children in Hooksett, New Hampshire, they moved to Strafford, New Hampshire in 2005. Here, Marty came back to her roots on Bow Lake, a place where she spent most of her childhood. Bow Lake was a special place for Marty, specifically Kooaukee Island where she developed a strong sense of community. You could often find Marty and Frank on their golf cart visiting their neighbors, entertaining on their party boat or at their tiki bar.
Marty was a woman of strong faith. She loved time with friends, playing cribbage, fantasy football, traveling, baking, boating, but she especially loved her gardens. She took pride in the beautiful gardens that surrounded her forever home. It was this passion that led Marty to become a volunteer at her community’s children’s garden. In December a donation of over $9,320 was donated to the Strafford Children’s Garden in her name, a donation raised by the many lives that Marty touched throughout the years.
In addition to her children and grandchildren, Marty shared in love with her sister Bonnie Bickford, husband Karl Bickford, brother Arthur Bishop, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Marty’s family had the ultimate privilege of caring for her over the past year. Toward the end of her journey, it was the tight family bond that she crafted so magically, that helped to give her family strength to care for her. They are grateful for that opportunity. Her family would like to thank the many neighbors and friends that have supported Marty over the last year. It was so fitting that the very community that meant so much to her, helped guide her in faith and friendship throughout her journey. Thank you to the wonderful doctors and nurses at Seacoast Cancer Center and Cornerstone VNA that treated Marty with loving care and support.
Calling hours will be held on February 28, 2022 from 4:00pm – 7:00pm at Purdy Memorial Chapel, 2 Concord Road, Lee, New Hampshire. A memorial service will be held for family and friends at 10:00am on March 1, 2022 at the Bow Lake Free Baptist Church, 530 Province Road, Strafford, New Hampshire. Donations can be made in Marty’s name to Amy’s Treat, a mission that provides solutions to day-to-day difficulties to people living with cancer, PO Box 2234 Dover, New Hampshire.