Finally, in 1797, the Washingtons returned home after two Presidential terms of office. That year Mrs. Washington wrote to her friend, Lucy Knox,

"I am fairly settled down to the pleasant duties of a Virginia housewife. Steady as a 'clock, busy as a bee, and cheerful as a cricket."

The Washingtons were delighted to be back at Mount Vernon even though the number of guests coming out of "curiosity" continued. George Washington quickly returned to his daily routine of visiting his farms, and Martha happily returned to overseeing her household and entertaining family and friends.

However, their happiness was short lived. George Washington died suddenly on December 14,1799 with Mrs. Washington by his side. After his death, she closed the room they had shared for many years and moved to a small room on the third floor. For her 2 ½ remaining years, she remained in charge of the household and enjoyed the company of close family and friends. Her grandson, George Washington Parke Custis, took the room across the hall from her, so family was always close by. However, her heart remained heavy.

After an illness of 17 days, Martha Washington died at home at the age of 70 on May 22, 1802, surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was eulogized in newspapers throughout the country as "the worthy partner of the worthiest of men." In all the trials and wide-ranging experiences of her long life, she brought a personal philosophy, which helped her to endure. She once related to a friend,

"I am … determined to be cheerful and to be happy in whatever situation I may be, for I have … learnt from [experience] that the greater part of our happiness or misary [sic] depends on our dispositions, and not on our circumstances; we carry the seeds of the one, or the other about with us, wherever we go."