WILMINGTON — Martha Tappan Howell of Wilmington passed away on June 9, 2025, in Wilmington, North Carolina, surrounded by her children.
Martha, known to her family as Muffy, was born March 2, 1933 in Baltimore, MD, daughter of the late Dr. Clewell Howell and Margaret Elizabeth Spragins Howell. She attended The Friends School and Bennington College, graduated from Goucher University and earned a master’s in special education from Loyola University.
She was preceded in death by her beloved brothers Clewell “Bud” Howell, Jr. (Margaret) and Andrew J. “Jay” Howell IV (Sally).
Surviving her are her four children, Philip Michael LaMastra, Jr. (Cynthia) of Trumbull, CT, Joseph Andrew LaMastra (Lisa) of Albuquerque, NM, Stephen Matthew LaMastra (Anne) of Atlanta, GA and Stephanie Margret Reilly (Thomas) of Cary, NC, her seven grandchildren, Chelsea LaMastra, Angelina LaMastra (Brian Doherty), Michael LaMastra, Gwyneth LaMastra, Connor LaMastra, Laura LaMastra and Phineas LaMastra, and beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
Her family knew her as the world did, as a passionate advocate for her causes, an energetic spirit, and someone who cared deeply for those in her life or who needed her.
Martha taught elementary school in Baltimore County, MD, for over two decades, received numerous awards for her caring and creative teaching style, and was beloved by her students. After retiring to Wilmington in 1996, she spent her time giving back to the community where her family had lived for generations.
Her grandfather, Andrew Howell, was pastor at First Presbyterian Church and Pearsall Memorial Presbyterian Church, both of which she attended over the years. Ultimately, she dedicated herself to Covenant Moravian Church and Lutheran Church of Reconciliation, where she was active and performed volunteer work for decades. She also tutored children in Wilmington as long as she was able. In 2014 she moved into Porter’s Neck Village and became an active participant there, focused on charitable work, campus beautification, environmental and health & wellness projects.
Memorials may be made to St. Bonaventure Indian Mission & School, P.O. Box 610, Thoreau, NM, 87323-0610 or Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306.
