Lowell’s “cat lady” had an illustrious background

By Sharon Oliver
Contributing Writer

LOWELL – Shirley Martin came from money, traveled extensively with her politically influential family and once lived in a 149-year-old Italianate style home across from Kittredge Park. 

However, most residents of Lowell probably did not know this, judging from her appearance and lifestyle. Martin became known as “The Cat Lady,” a woman who walked around town sporting a fur coat and carting around a cage (usually two) of cats. Reportedly, Martin mostly kept to herself, making it hard for people to truly know her but a few did.

A cat lady is a cultural stereotype, often described as a middle-aged or elderly woman without children who lives alone with many cats. The term may be negative, or it may be seen as an endearing label. While some may have underlying psychological issues that make it easier for them to form relationships with pets rather than people, others are just normal animal lovers.

Prominent family
By some accounts, Martin, a retired switchboard operator who bothered no one, enjoyed writing poetry, had extremely beautiful handwriting and was particularly fond of cats. She was also a granddaughter of Massachusetts’ 38th Governor, Frederic Thomas Greenhalge (her mother being his daughter Harriet Nesmith Greenhalge) and a maternal granddaughter of Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor John Nesmith. Her grandfather proclaimed the first Patriots’ Day, ending the 200-year-old Fast Day celebration in the state.

A few residents took to Facebook to share their memories.

Kathleen Hayes wrote:

“She (Shirley) and her husband owned the yellow Italianate style home on Nesmith Street across from Kittredge Park. Her back yard abutted mine. For twenty years we lived there. Those who know the home saw it fall to ruins. Her husband had long passed when we knew her. The story we were told is that he built that house for her and then sadly passed away. We found out that she was not the original owner later on. Long-time neighbors there said she did pay her taxes on the property every year. She was often at the house and was always kind to my children. One of my sons would bring her something to eat. She did not want to be placed in care although I believe she did eventually go to some housing which social services secured for her. She was a lovely lady with a sad story.”

June Brawner responded:

“Kathleen Hayes, she did end up in a nursing home in Worcester. I worked there and she was very quiet old lady. I’m sure that’s where she passed away as well. It was in the early 90s when I worked there.”

John Wojcik added:

“Thanks for posting, very interesting story, never knew she was the granddaughter of a Massachusetts governor.”

Close call after fire
Firefighters once had to rescue Martin from her smoke-filled home as fire engulfed the front porch. Officials who investigated the fire believed it to be of suspicious origin and initially thought the home was vacant until neighbors insisted a woman lived there. In fact, it was Martin who called the fire department to say she was choking on smoke and trapped in a room.

If Martin were alive today, she would most likely appreciate the city’s first-ever cat café, Lazy Cat Lounge. According to the café’s website: “Lounge is intended to be a small, relaxing, home-away-from-home space in the heart of downtown Lowell where people of all ages can work, study and interact with resident and/or adoptable cats.”

The lounge has a retail section with books and merchandise which includes handmade goods by local artists, serves baked goods, other snacks and beverages. There is, of course, a cat room where visitors can book a time slot to spend with a cuddly feline. Reservations start at $20 and last 50 minutes.

Life has a way of taking quite a few unexpected turns, so treating folks with kindness can go a long way. Shirley Martin died on March 18, 2002, at the Enoch Healthcare in Northborough at the age of 89. Widowed with having only cats for companions later in life, she had no surviving family members. The city of Lowell eventually had her house, which was deemed uninhabitable, torn down. 

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