Obituary of Martha Dolan Wason

Martha Dolan Wason passed away peacefully the morning of June 15, 2024. Born to parents Marjorie Joy Dolan and T. Frank Dolan, Jr. in 1928, Martha and her four siblings were extremely close and enjoyed many happy times together over the years, including summers with their families at the “camps” on Cazenovia Lake. A proud graduate of both the Goodyear-Burlingame School (1946) and Marymount College in Tarrytown, NY (1950), she went on to business school and attended art classes, a pursuit at which she excelled. In 1953 she married Jay Ward Wason, Sr. of Schenectady in a double ceremony with her beloved sister Susan Moran (Richard). Throughout the 59 years of their marriage, she and Jay created a welcoming home, gathering family and friends for polo matches, SU football parties, family reunions, summer picnics on the porch, and holiday gatherings around the dining room table. Martha was the consummate hostess, taking great care to ensure everyone had a good time. Martha was a former member of the Junior League, which led her to volunteer work at Meals on Wheels, the Blood Bank, senior programs at the Corinthian Club’s Carriage House and Cazenovia’s Friendly Visitor Program. She was also a devoted communicant of St. James Church in Cazenovia. Martha was predeceased by her husband Jay, sons Edward and Robert Wason, grandson Trevor Tormey, and sisters Jane Eldert, Faith Hopkins and Susan Moran. She is survived by her brother, Thomas F. Dolan III (Jamie); daughter, Marjie Tormey of Cazenovia; sons, Jay Wason, Jr. of Henderson, NY (Sara) and Charles Wason of Park City, Utah (Monica); 8 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; many close cousins, nieces and nephews, and caring friends. Martha’s greatest joy was her family and friends, and she spent considerable time cultivating and nurturing those relationships. She maintained frequent contact with loved ones through phone calls and heartfelt letters, which smelled of her favorite perfume and were often embellished with underlining and exclamation points. She was a class act and set a wonderful example that will be felt for generations. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. The family wishes to acknowledge her daughter Marjie, grandson Tiernen and caregiver Elda Smith for their loving and gentle care, allowing her to pass with dignity in her home surrounded by her loved ones. Services and burial will be private. Donations may be made in Martha’s name to Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association, 7138 Sutherland Dr., Canastota, NY 13032 or online at wanderersrest.org, CNY SPCA, 5878 East Molloy Rd., Syracuse, NY 13211 or online at cnyspca.org; Hospice of CNY and of the Finger Lakes, 990 Seventh North St., Liverpool, NY 13088 or online at hospicecny.org; CAVAC, 106 Nelson St., Cazenovia, NY 13035 and St. James Church, 6 Green St., Cazenovia, NY 13035. Condolences for the Wason family may be left at www.michaelebrownfuneralservices.com