Martha Lou Heitman Gascoigne

Martha Lou Heitman Gascoigne died serenely Sunday evening at Novant Rowan Regional Medical Center. The daughter of Lillian Elise Hall Heitman and Wilton Charles Heitman, she was born at the Whitehead Stokes Hospital on Fulton Street, February 9, 1927. She attended Frank B. John Elementary School, Wiley Junior High School, and Boyden High School, where she was an honor student and enjoyed the Hi-Y and Sub Deb Clubs. She was on the field hockey and archery teams and won the Athletic Award her Senior Year. At Salem College, she completed a double major in English and History with a minor in French. In the late 1970s her English Comprehensive Exam still held the highest score. She enjoyed working on the student newspaper, the Salemite and even learned to set type. She lettered in field hockey, riding and archery. After graduating, Martha Lou taught English and History for one year at Mt. Ulla High School. Her students dedicated the yearbook to her. She was a founding member of the Symposium Book Club. Martha Lou married James Bruce “Jesse” Gascoigne in 1949. They lived in Hickory for one year then moved to Lumber Bridge, NC where they managed the farms of her grandmother, Lula Bullard Hall. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church and the Red Springs Garden Club. They returned to Salisbury in 1956. She had been an active member of the First Presbyterian Church since the “Cradle Roll” for toddlers. In her twenties, she organized a national Young Adult Conference at Montreat, NC. She employed her teaching talent and profound love and knowledge of the Bible in education at all levels—elementary to adult. For the last twenty years, she was part of the teaching team of the Rumple Bible Class. She served as a Bible Moderator for the Women of the Church who made her an Honorary Lifetime Member in 2016. In 1979, she earned a master’s degree in Education from Appalachian State University and volunteered at the Supplementary Education Center (Horizons) with Bea Blount’s nature programs. She loved wildflowers and birds. Her garden was a haven for birds. She founded the antique store, Lillian’s Library, with her husband and daughter in 1986. The family participated in the Rowan Museum Antiques Show for many years. Most recently, she joined the Redbuds Gardening Club at the Rowan Public Library and was a devoted member of Dr. Randall Kirby’s Wednesday morning Bible study group. Martha Lou is survived by her daughter, Lillian Heitman Gascoigne and her two cousins, Roger Fisher Hall (Beverly) of Hope Mills, NC and Margaret Heitman Collins (Eddie) of Wrightsville Beach. Her life was made delightful by her beloved physician, Myron Goodman and his wife Mary. Her family is grateful for the dedicated and exemplary care of the nurses and staff of the fourth floor critical care unit at Rowan Regional Medical Center. SERVICE: A graveside service will be held on Thursday, April 15 at 3pm, Memorial Park Cemetery. Dr. Randy Kirby, Associate Pastor, First Presbyterian Church will preside. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Gascoigne family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Martha Lou Heitman Gascoigne

February 9, 1927 - April 11, 2021