'She Was Truly A Gift': North Fork Mourns Mom After Cancer Battle

NORTH FORK, NY — Hearts are broken on the North Fork as the community mourns a young mother who was deeply loved.

Marta E. Thomas of Southold passed away at home on Monday, April 28, 2025. She was 45 years old, her obituary with DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold said.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, May from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home, located at 51400 Main Road in Southold.

"Marta was born in Southampton, on April 15, 1980 to Scott Thomas and Elisa (Lieblein) Ruroede. A 1998 graduate of Southold High School, she earned a degree from SUNY Stony Brook in 2002 and then worked in sales at Port of Egypt Marine alongside her mother for many years," her obituary read.

"After her first daughter was born in 2017, Marta became a stay at home mom while also helping to manage Cornell Oysters, her husband’s family business. In her free time, Marta was president of the Southold Mothers’ Club and she loved yard-saling, boating, genealogy, fostering dogs, and most especially, spending time with family and friends, enjoying a glass of red wine. She is known for asking 20 questions, having a sense of humor and an outgoing, magnetic personality."

Predeceased by her mother in 2014, Marta is survived by her husband Tom Cornell of Southold; daughters Lina and Vienna; sisters Erin Thomas of Portland, OR and Lisl Reuschle of Mattituck; father Scott Thomas of Vero Beach, FL; stepfather Andy Ruroede of Orient,; stepsister Sandy Martocchia of Greenport, and six nieces.

Martocchia posted a beautiful tribute to her sister.

"It is with the heaviest of hearts that I must announce our girl, Marta, lost her battle with glioblastoma on Monday," she said. "Marta was a sheer force of nature when she entered a room. Whether she was planning social events with the Southold Mothers' Club, keeping up with her kids, helping to run Cornell Oysters or spending time with family and friends, Marta's infectious smile and sweet laugh always announced her arrival. Her outgoing personality would help put everyone at ease around her. She was truly a gift."

Martocchia added: "Marta absolutely loved summer! Lazy days by the pool or quick trips to the ocean were staples of her life in the summer. She loved taking bike rides with her nieces and her daughters on a summer evening. Boating was a huge part of her life. While she was an integral part of Port of Egypt for many years, the saltwater was in her blood even when she wasn't working. Summer season also brought another favorite pastime: yard sales. As a yard sale expert, she was always on the hunt for a good deal during the season. And, if she wasn't busy patronizing weekly sales, she was busy planning her own sale and sharpening her famous negotiation skills. She was always on the hunt for a bargain!"

Throughout the years, Martocchia said, Marta loved to travel with her family "and was always up for an adventure. From California wine country to Mexico to the Trapp Family Lodge in Vermont, she loved traveling and making memories with the people she loved the most. It brought out her beautiful smile."

And, Martocchia said: "If you ever sat down with her, she would most likely have a glass of red wine in hand, dog at her feet, and would ask plenty of questions to get to know you better. She could talk about any topic and still be relaxed. She was easy to talk to and was a great listener."

A GoFundMe page, "Help Support Marta Thomas And Her Family," was created by Martocchia in March to help.

"On March 19, after dealing with a series of sudden health issues, Marta received the shocking, and devastating news that she has an inoperable brain tumor. It was later diagnosed as a grade 4, midline, glioblastoma of the thalamus with a rare mutation called H3K27," she wrote.

Marta lived in Southold with her partner, Tom Cornell and their two young daughters, Lina, 7, and Vienna3, Martocchia said.

The community opened their hearts to help Marta and her family during their darkest hours.

"I want to personally thank everyone who supported her family over the past year. The generosity of friends, family, neighbors and strangers is quite overwhelming," Martocchia said> "Your thoughts, prayers and visits really meant the world to her. Please keep her young daughters in your prayers. Rest easy, Mart."

In lieu of flowers, donations to a 529 College fund being set up for her children, or to Dylan Neumann Forever 5 Foundation would be appreciated. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.