GORHAM – Martha Treworgy Harris, a well-known Gorham resident who recently began cancer treatment, died Tuesday night after suffering a setback just days ago.

“Everybody is stunned,” the Rev. David Butler, pastor of the First Parish Congregational Church in Gorham, said Wednesday. “She was one of the most beloved people in this town for many years.”

“She was a wonderful caring lady and will be greatly missed by the community,” Town Councilor Suzanne Phillips said Wednesday.

“I am so sorry to say that Martha peacefully passed away at 10:54 tonight surrounded by family,” Nicole Bergeron, a family friend, posted in a statement on the caringbridge.org website on Tuesday. “Her family sincerely appreciates the overwhelming love, support and prayers over the last several days. They were the brightest part of their most difficult time.”

Her illness and death has saddened the community. By Wednesday morning, the website for Harris had more than 10,700 visits and the number was rising steadily.

Recently diagnosed with cancer, Harris had begun treatments this month. On Feb. 23, Harris was believed to have suffered an intestinal disorder and was hospitalized. She died three days later.

“She was in terrible pain,” said Linda Faatz of Gorham, Harris’ sister.

The First Parish Congregational Church in Gorham, where Harris was a parishioner, had opened Tuesday evening in a vigil for those seeking “a quiet place to reflect, meditate or pray,” a church message read Tuesday afternoon.

“There were dozens of people there,” Butler said Wednesday. “A big outpouring.”

Hundreds of Gorham residents had been praying for Harris and had posted encouraging notes on the website.

“Dear Martha,” one read, “We all hope you know and feel the power of all the prayers streaming to you every minute, every hour, everyday. Your courage and enduring spirit has become an inspiration to all who know you and love you.”

Harris, who owned a photography business, was once an American Journal freelance photographer.

Harris was well known for her photography, which included weddings, special events, nature and portrait work.

“Through Martha’s photography she had captured the spirit, people and history of Gorham,” Phillips said.

Ray Foote, of the Foote family that formerly owned the American Journal, said Harris once had taken photos of Boston Red Sox players on the field at spring training and her photos were published in the paper. Foote praised her photography.

“A very bright woman with a bright attitude,” he said.

In a church fundraiser to benefit the town’s food pantry a few years ago, Harris daringly climbed from a small window onto a narrow steeple ledge high above the street to snap a photo.

“Photography was her real passion,” Faatz said.

Raised in Gorham, Harris graduated in 1962 from Gorham High School, where she was a drama club member and played sports.

“Always happy, never sad,” the school yearbook said about her.

Through the years as a resident, she was upbeat and known for cheering up others in the community. Butler said Harris was “very loving” and “incredibly” always positive.

Faatz said her sister had two daughters, Jennifer Banks and Robyn Violette, and four grandchildren.

Faatz cited her faith as the source of her sister’s strength.

“She loved helping others,” Faatz said, “she would come to anybody’s aid.”

A message posted on the caring bridge website read, “You have made a mark in life, especially in the town of Gorham, which is definitely your town.”

Funeral arrangements were pending Wednesday.

Martha Treworgy Harris