Marjorie Martin

Marjorie Louise George Martin, 90, died May 17, 2014 in Des Moines after being hospitalized with pneumonia. She was born on March 23, 1924, in Wells River, VT to Pearl and Fred George. She graduated from Wells River High School where she participated on the tennis, track, basketball and ski teams. She was a graduate of Oberlin College and earned a Masters Degree from Hartford School of Religious Education. She worked as a social worker in Hartford, married in 1948 and moved to Lackawanna, NY. Both of her children were born there, Kenneth in 1950 and Lynelle in 1954. Later she returned to Hartford, CT and was employed by the Conn. School for the Blind to start a program for 3 and 4 year olds who were among the last preemies given too much oxygen, which caused their blindness.

The family moved to Des Moines in 1956, eventually joining University Christian Church, now First Christian Church. She was an active member, taught 2 and 3 year olds, sang in the choir, served on the diaconate, worship and outreach ministries and volunteered as a receptionist, Logos (youth group) table parent and at the farmer’s market.

Marjorie began teaching in the Des Moines Public Schools after her divorce in 1958. She taught at Maple Grove, Studebaker, Kirkwood and Martin Luther King, from which she retired in 1987. She was a member of the DMEA, ISEA and NEA.

In 1970 Marjorie met Dan Martin on the golf course and they married later that year. They played as often as they could and she continued playing until she was 87. She also enjoyed gardening, walking, visiting with neighbors, spending time with family and adored Molly, the family dog.

Marjorie is survived by her children, Ken (Mary) Sanders and Lynelle Sanders; step-daughters Darel Ann (Don) Gannaway and Bonnie Kay (Jerry) Peterman; grandchildren Michael Martin, Jason Sanders, Kristen Sanders and Julia Miller; step-grandchildren Dee Briggs, Tamara (Charles) Jones, Dustin (Renee) Martin, Jeff (Faith) Peterman, Kevin (Diane) Martin, and Kyle Peterman; great-grandchildren Mykal Barnes Martin, Darrius Martin, Cesar Hernandez, Adrian Miller, Cyrus Hernandez, Jacob Trujillo, Daisy Miller and Giovanni Valenti, eight step-great-grandchildren, and 2 step-great-great-grandchildren; sisters Verna Bain and Elizabeth Strickland, five nephews and one niece.

She was predeceased by her parents, husband Darreld (Dan) R. Martin, brothers Harold and Frederick George, stepson Ralph (Buck) Martin and great-granddaughter Ruby Hernandez.

Marjorie donated her body to medical science. Her life will be honored at First Christian Church, in July, after her son returns from a medical mission outside the country. The family requests any memorial contributions be made to First Christian Church in lieu of flowers.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

Print