Death of Martha Millett, former missionary in Turkey

by Global Ministries | published on Oct 10, 2014

Wider Church Ministries/Global Ministries sadly announces the passing of Martha Millett, former missionary to Turkey, in Pilgrim Place, Claremont, California on August 22, 2008 after a long illness.

Martha was born in Akron, Ohio on July 2, 1924. She was raised in Farmington, Maine and graduated with a B.S. in Education from Farmington State Teacher’s College in 1947. She earned an M.A. in Education from Syracuse University in 1956. She worked at a state hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, taught school in Greenville, Maine, and was a restaurant waitress before she went to Turkey.

In 1951 she was appointed by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) as a teacher of English and Mathematics at the Uskudar American Academy, a private secondary school founded by ABCFM missionaries and serving Turkish girls in Istanbul. Her devoted and exemplary service to the school continued until her retirement in 1989. During Martha’s 38 years at Uskudar she worked with the boarding department and served as a teacher and administrator. She was always willing to do what was needed for the school including acting as school Director when the need arose. Martha never liked the spotlight but preferred working behind the scenes. Her total commitment to girls’ education and to the people of Turkey has left a lasting imprint upon hundreds of lives.

A graduate remembers Martha as follows: Two words immediately come to my mind as I remember Miss Millett: selflessness and modesty. As I close my eyes and reflect back, I see her walking slowly in the corridors of Martin Hall, humming a soft song and watching for any trash. She would bend down and pick it up naturally, without thinking of her status as the School Director, setting a good example for everyone.

Martha’s friends at Pilgrim Place are planning a memorial service, the date of which has yet to be announced. In addition, a remembrance ceremony will take place at the Uskudar school.

Martha is survived by her brother, Lee Millett, and her nephew, Rod Millett.

Wider Church Ministries/Global Ministries thanks God for the life, ministry and example of Martha and celebrates her work in Turkey and her mission of peace and justice, the education of women, and interfaith relations.