Maria Carolina (Nunes) Martin

Maria Carolina Martin, 55, passed away on November 16th, 2025, surrounded by her family. She is survived by her mother, Maria, her brother Anthony and his wife and children, Anneke, Steven, Michelle and Miguel, as well as her daughter, Monique, her son Dylan and her granddaughter Finley. What stays with us now are the little things that made her who she was, the pieces of her that made her ours.

Our mom never went by her first name; she chose a shortened version of her middle name. To many, she was Carol: hardworking, ambitious, kind to a fault, and deeply loving.

She was the kind of person who carried a thousand worries but somehow still cared for everyone else first. We remember her laughter, her quick wit, and the stubborn streak that surfaced exactly when she needed it. She wasn’t loud about her love, but she showed it in small, steady ways.

She was born on December 31st, 1969, in the afternoon. She always told us that the doctor had a New Year’s Eve party to attend and hurried her mother along. She was a chubby baby with rosy cheeks, a trait she passed on to generations after her. She was a fighter even then, born just over a year after her older brother, Anthony.

Carol was raised by her grandmother, fondly called Mai, who spoke softly to her in Portuguese and taught her how to care deeply for others. In school, she was loved by many. When she graduated in 1987, she left with a litany of lifelong friends.

She had her first child, Michele Andrea Martin, born sleeping on August 8th, 1990. The loss shattered her, but she leaned on her family and friends to survive it. She would learn through this loss, how to manage the unmanageable and how to work through grief.

 Just under two years later, she had her second child, Monique. In me, she instilled that same stubborn love, the kind that caused shouting matches, inside jokes, and endless laughter. Even when we butted heads, the love was palpable; from watching over me in my wild youth to caring for me postpartum, her love never wavered.

Her son, Dylan, arrived unexpectedly in 1995 and completed our little family. She spoke of how he challenged her in ways I hadn’t, a colicky baby who kept her awake for three months and taught her that strength and courage walk hand in hand with love. She would watch him grow into a hardworking young man who leads with love and cares deeply for those around him.

When her granddaughter, Finley Rose, was born, she never wavered in stepping in as a co-parent. She sang to her in Portuguese on long nights. She taught her how to make scrambled eggs. She passed down that same streak of stubborn, devoted care that runs through our family. She guided her gently but firmly through her struggles. She cherished her special girl… to infinity and beyond.

Our mom was a fighter. When she was diagnosed with cancer in 2023, she never once asked, “Why me?” Instead, she decided to throw everything she had at this beast. She never gave up, never wavered. Throughout her journey, she made friends who stood beside her in life and now honor her in her death. Her local oncologist, Dr. Sampat, fiercely stood by her as she navigated the complexities of this rare disease. She became a fierce advocate for fellow Adrenal Cancer warriors, offering resources, comfort, and tenderness whenever someone needed it.

In her last days, she rested. After giving everything she had to this fight, she was surrounded by love and warmth at home, just as she wanted. We took care of her the way she once cared for us, making sure she was comfortable, safe, and knew she was deeply loved.

As we learn how to move through this life without her, we will carry her forward in all the ways she would want. We’ll cherish the memories, laugh at the stories, cry when we need to, and keep going with her fierce determination and loving light to guide us.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that those who feel moved donate in her memory to the Adrenal Cure Collective. She was a patient of Dr. Del Rivero at the NIH and would be honored to know the work toward curing this disease continues.

Service entrusted to Boston-Hill Funeral & Cremation. 404.228.1067

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