Martha Sulzby Hunnewell Newport, Rhode Island Obituary

Martha Sulzby Hunnewell

Martha Sulzby (Clark) Hunnewell, age 77, died peacefully on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 in Newport, Rhode Island. Martha was born in Birmingham March 19, 1944 and is survived by her daughters, Alicia (“Lilie”) Clark Van Arsdall (Michael) of Washington, DC and Melissa Clark Slaughter (Hanson) of Birmingham, Alabama, four grandchildren who affectionately referred to her as “Danny,” Elizabeth Van Arsdall, John Slaughter, William Van Arsdall, and Virginia Slaughter, her brother, James F. Sulzby, III (Robin) and niece, Jean Sulzby Jones (Drew), and their three children, Mae, Stuart, and Christopher. She is also survived by her stepdaughter Sarah Hunnewell (Jimmy), stepson John Hunnewell (Susie), and step grandchildren Priscilla and Mark. <br/><br/>Martha was predeceased by her husband, Richard F. Hunnewell, her father, James F. Sulzby, Jr., her mother, Martha Belle (Hilton) Sulzby, her nephew, James F. Sulzby, IV, and her former husband, Robert J. B. Clark.<br/><br/>Martha was graduate of the Brooke Hill School in Birmingham and Mount Vernon College in Washington, DC. Martha’s chic sense of style and spirited personality captivated all who knew her. Her sense of adventure took her around the world numerous times and she was likewise at home in many places, maintaining residences in Birmingham, Newport, and New York for many years. Martha was a master croquet player, as well as an accomplished decorator and jewelry designer. She had a discerning eye for elegance, and enjoyed coupling beauty with whimsy. Still, her passion was people. She was at her best cooking and entertaining a crowd, and had a memorable flair for making things beautiful, delicious, and fun. <br/><br/>Martha was a member of the Spouting Rock Beach Association, Clambake Club, Newport Croquet Club, and Trinity Church in Newport, as well as the Mountain Brook Club, and the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham.<br/><br/>A memorial service for Martha will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 19 at Trinity Church in Newport, with a graveside service at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham, AL on Monday, February 21 at 11:00 am. <br/><br/>Memorials may be made to the Newport Hospital Foundation, 11 Friendship Street, Newport, RI 02840, www.lifespan.org/NH-giving or to a charity of your choosing.
March 19, 1944 - January 5, 202203/19/194401/05/2022
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1 tree planted in memory of Martha Sulzby Hunnewell.
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Audrey Oswald
February 15, 2022
From your old land lady! I will miss you!

1 memorial tree was planted in memory of Martha Sulzby Hunnewell. Plant a tree

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Mathilde Hoefer
February 12, 2022
My husband, Joe Leary, and I are so sorry to learn of the passing of one vivacious Martha Hunnewell.
We not only enjoyed her company here in Houston, Texas playing croquet, but we had several opportunities to savor her hospitality in Newport at her home, her favorite loc...
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Linda Holmes
January 8, 2022
What a great loss to us all! To her children and grandchildren, I send my most heartfelt condolences; Miss Martha was a very special woman, indeed. Outrageous, hysterical, such fun to be with..she was incomparable. Her sense of humor was contagious, and it surer was hard... Continue Reading