Marti, Mom, Grammy lived each day for family. She set a great example of what is truly important in life.
She was a dedicated wife, daughter, sister, friend, and mother. Marti is the mother of three daughters, six granddaughters, and three grandsons. She loved sharing in every moment of her grandchildren's lives, from helping with them as newborns to watching graduations and sending them off to college. She was the number one fan of everything her grandchildren did.
Although we are living spread through out the country, that never slowed her down. Mom would hop on a plane to help with the grandkids, be there for all the big events, or just come out to visit and catch up with their busy daily lives. She has attended countless soccer games, basketball games, dance recitals, taekwondo testing, band concerts, birthday parties, gymnastics meets, swim meets, and an endless number of practices, just because she loved being with the grandkids and seeing not only their accomplishments, but what makes them so happy, and who they are. She loved spending shopping time with the kids too, much to the girls love.
When she came to visit, she showed the kids they were her number one priority and gave them her undivided attention no matter how many games they wanted to play, stories they wanted to hear, puzzles to put together, or matchbox cars they wanted to make roads for. She loved to bake cookies and cupcakes and patiently decorate them all afternoon long with the kids. As our kids grew from babies to teens, they always loved to spend time with Grammy :)
Mom loved Michigan State University, and always showed her Spartan pride! Whether attending games in East Lansing, or watching from afar, she proudly wore her green and white and cheered loudly and proudly for her Spartans!
Some of the best memories of growing up were our summer trips to Harbor Springs in Northern Michigan. Mom loved days of the beach with family and friends, hunting for Petoskey stones, watching the sailboats and enjoying the beautiful summer weather with family and friends.
While living in Indiana, Mom loved playing golf and volunteering at the PGA and LPGA tournaments in Indianapolis each year. She enjoyed the excitement around the Indy 500 each year, not only going to watch, but getting right in there with the garage pass, and pit passes too!
Mom loved the excitement of sporting events and over the years they were also able to attend the Superbowl, NCAA Finals, the Olympics, Kentucky Derby and many more incredible events.
Mom was the queen of baking pies! Loved to make, bake and decorate holiday cookies and cupcakes, but pies were her thing! Homemade crust and a fresh apple, strawberry, blueberry, pumpkin pie - they were the best!
When they moved to California, some of her favorite things included wine tasting in nearby Napa Valley and Sonoma, and skiing in Lake Tahoe and even taking a chance on a slot machine, and visiting the beautiful beaches of Monterey, Carmel and Malibu.
Mom and Dad were a team. She took great care of him, whether he thought he needed it or not :) Mom was always there for her three daughters as well. She was just a phone call or text away, always ready to visit. She was proud of our accomplishments and supportive through the challenges. She would drop anything to be there for us.
Mom has the most beautiful smile, kind heart and incredible strength.
She will be missed so much and remembered with love by so many.
We love you mom