Martha D. “Pepper” Hitchcock, daughter of Kenneth E. and Eleanor (Mackey) Hitchcock died peacefully on Wednesday May 3rd at Middlesex Hospital Hospice Unit. Born in East Hampton on June 16, 1936 she was a lifelong resident. She was an alumni of East Hampton High School class of 1954 and the University of Connecticut and had been an employed by the Vernon Board of Education. “Pepper” was a founding member of the Blackledge Women’s Golf Assoc., president and public relations director of the Southern New England Women’s Golf Assoc., and also a member of the Connecticut State Amateur Golf Championship Committee from 1972-1990. She entered politics in 1974 serving on local, state and national campaigns. She herself, ran for the Board of Selectmen in East Hampton in 1979 and was elected and then reelected to eight terms. She was Vice Chairman of the Board of Selectman and Town Council during the terms of 1983-85, 87-89 and 91-93. During which time she was the first Democratic woman and first woman Vice Chairman. She retired from the Council in 1994. She was on the Charter Revision Commission in 1986-87, whose work was adopted into what is now the council and Town Manager form of government. She was an active member of the council working on projects with citizens groups. She was a liaison on town commissions and was active in the building of the town community center and library. She was also a member of the Goff House Museum Restoration Committee. She once remarked that her vocation and avocations seemed to all begin with the letter “P”, perhaps for “Pepper”, “A pupal, physical education teacher, publicist, politician, public servant and a sometime poet.” In 1995 she turned to photography and developed a line of photo postcards high lighting the history and seasons of East Hampton and the surrounding area. Her photography provided an outlet of creativity and expression. She loved to travel to Stowe, VT and Saratoga Springs, NY. She was also a very active volunteer at the Goodspeed Opera House. She leaves behind her friend of many years Pat Logan, her beloved cat “Puddin” and her favorite dog “Logan”. A memorial service will be held Wednesday May 10th at 11:00AM in the Spencer Funeral Home 112 Main St. East Hampton with the Rev. Mary Anne Osborn officiating. Burial will follow in Lake View Cemetery East Hampton. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 9:00AM until 11:00AM. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the East Hampton Ambulance Assoc. P.O. Box 144 East Hampton, CT 06424 or to the Goodspeed Opera House 6 Main St. East Haddam CT 06423. To leave online condolences please visit www.spencerfuneralhomeinc.com.  

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