Mary Jane Martin

Mary Jane Martin

GLADSTONE — Mary Jane Martin, 92, of Gladstone, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 18, 2023 at her home.

She was born in Escanaba on October 14, 1931, the daughter of George and Jennie (Martell) Hurley.

Mary was raised in Escanaba and graduated from Escanaba High School, class of 1949.

On June 22, 1999, Mary married Tom K. Martin, Jr. at St. Anne’s Church in Escanaba.

She worked at Merle Norman in her early years. She also worked for Social Security Administration, Phil and Lee Homes, and sold real estate. She found her niche in 1979 when she began to sell Mary Kay Cosmetics. She earned a pink Buick Regal in 1982 because of her accomplishments with the company. She was a consultant with Mary Kay until her retirement in 2017.

Mary was an active member of St. Anne’s Church and St. Vincent de Paul Society. She sang in the adult choir at St. Anne’s for 50 years. Mary made a difference to many individuals and families with her work with St. Vincent de Paul Society. She dedicated 20 plus years running the office and helping others.

Mary loved spending time with her friends and family and will be greatly missed.

She is survived by daughters, Mary Jean (Duncan) Hebbard of Escanaba, Deborah Lynn (Mathis) Leanos of Sacramento, Calif., and Lisa Carole Beauchamp Blanc (Michael Ballwey) of Pensacola, Fla.; grandchildren, Michelle (Paul) Brackett, Brian (Stephanie) Payment, Scott (Katie) VanEnKevort, LeeAnn (Chad) Freddy, Lydia, Isaac, and Luke Leanos, Hannah (Matt) Haplin, Eric Snowden, Ashley (Mike) Gann, Nicholas (Deandre) Blanc; 16 great-grandchildren, Jillian, Noah, Andrew, Luke, Ella, Collin, Ariadne, Siyah, Alyssa, Kirby, Miles, Lucas, Mauriana, Lance, Riley, and Felix; sisters, Majorie Hurley and Donna Nelson; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by daughter, Donna Mathis; five brothers and three sisters.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 5, from 11 a.m. until noon at St. Anne’s Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at noon with Rev. Fran DeGroot officiating. A meal will follow in the church hall.

Burial will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to U.P. Health and Hospice, St. Anne’s Church Choir, or St. Vincent de Paul Society.

The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the Martin family.