On May 2, 2026, in Apopka, Florida, Martha D. (Masci) Grande, formerly of Melrose, Massachusetts, passed away and was reunited in heaven with her husband, Stephen Grande; her daughters, Joanne Grande and Stephanie Gillespie; and her grandson, Thomas Leech.

Martha was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, whose loss is deeply felt by all who knew her. She is survived by her daughter, Cheryl Bloom and her husband, Kurt Bloom; her sons, Dominic Grande and Terry Smith; and her son-in-law, Brett Gillespie. She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren, Sam Gillespie and Jennie Gillespie, as well as her three great-grandchildren, Arina Gillespie, Tamen Gillespie, and Anthony Shattuck.

Martha loved life, her family, and all of God’s creatures. She often said, “People can talk—animals cannot,” reflecting her deep compassion for animals and her generous support of many animal rescues. She will be remembered for her contagious laughter, selflessness, kindness, generosity, and free spirit. Martha will be missed beyond words.

Throughout her life, Martha was a hardworking and adventurous spirit. She began working at the age of eleven alongside her father at Masci Insurance. Over the years, she pursued many roles, including working as a computer programmer for Toyota, on a lobster boat, as a nanny, and with charter boats in the Florida Keys. In her retirement years, Martha became a published author of children’s books. Her words and stories will continue to live on through the books she created.