Martha Holly Loew

Martha Holly Loew.  2/12/1927 – 5/10/2026

Martha Holly Loew, born in Schenectady, NY and a long-term Syracuse resident, died May 10th following a brief illness.  She was 99 years old. 

Daughter of Harold Clark Holly and Clara Pauline Sonnekalb Holly, Martha grew up in Schenectady with her three siblings, Lois Holly VanAuken, Ted Holly and Jack Holly (who survives her).  She felt connected throughout her life to Schenectady, playing in the Schenectady Symphony Orchestra, performing with the Schenectady Light Opera Company, and making many lifelong friends. 

Martha met and married Richard Thomas Loew (d. 1991) in Schenectady and together they moved to Syracuse in 1961, where she established a lifetime of community involvement, local activism, teaching, and a family with children Jean Loew Hennessy and Eric Loew.  Martha had a lifetime connection to Great Sacandaga Lake, especially the summer “camp” she and Richard built in the mid1960’s.  Morning swims, canoeing, sailing, cookouts, friends, music, and time on her screened porch were mainstays of camp life.  It became a special place to spend time with her grandchildren, Matthew, Tyler and Anna Hennessy.

Martha’s energy, intellect and curiosity were her superpowers.  From her physical education major at Ithaca College, to her national standing as an archer into her mid-30’s, years as a ski patroller at Toggenburg, and regular canoeing camping trips throughout the Adirondacks, Martha reveled in being outdoors and active.  An accomplished musician, Martha earned a Masters of Music from Syracuse University, played and performed in orchestras and small ensembles, taught music at Manlius Pebble Hill School, and produced numerous musicals for the Syracuse Musical Theater.  As a flautist, she seemed to “specialize” in performing the piccolo solo/riff of the Star Spangled Banner, and was often called upon for this particular skill on the 4th of July.

Martha’s passion and achievements of her mid and later years were as a champion of the environment and community-based activism.  With leadership positions in the Iroquois Group of the Central New York Chapter of the Sierra Club, the Atlantic State Legal Foundation, Friends of Clark Reservation, the Dewitt Advisory Conservation Commission (DCCC) and the Jamesville Positive Action Committee (JAMPAC), Martha worked to raise awareness of local environmental interests.  One colleague noted what certainly stands true for many about Martha’s tireless commitment to making the world a cleaner, environmentally sound and fairer place: her “advocacy and hard work on some tough issues.”  It was a fitting moment when she was part of a group of 80yr old + women honored in the ArtRage exhibition: “STILL THE ONE: Douglas Lloyd Makes Portraits of Women Making Change the Old-fashioned Way,” Nov 2017-Jan 2018. 

Martha Holly Loew was determined to make a difference.  She did. 

A celebration of life is planned for later this year. 

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