Mary “Jean” R. Martin

It is with profound sadness that the family of Mary “Jean” R. Martin (nee Buehler), 98, announces her passing on April 30, 2026  at the VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach, FL.  Prior to her death she was a resident of the Willowbrooke Court skilled nursing facility at the ACTS Indian River Estates community for six years.

Jean was the heart of our family.  Her love for us was unconditional; her concern for our well-being was ever-present.  As her family grew to include grand- and great-grandchildren in multiple states, she strove to keep up with the details of everyone’s lives.   Although her loss is deeply felt, her devotion to her family was life-changing for us all and is an important part of her legacy.

She was pre-deceased, heartbreakingly in 2020, by the love of her life and husband of nearly 69 years, John “Jack” M. Martin.  She is survived by her devoted family: sons Michael (Jennifer) of Vienna, VA and Kenny (Barbarann) of Knoxville, TN; and daughters Elaine Tekerian (Armen) of Ramsey, NJ and Kathy Martin of Vero Beach, FL.  She was the proud “Nana” and “Grandma” of Jeffrey (Christine Bolon) and Timothy (Lisa Weckstein) Martin; Joseph (Shelby), Alexander, and Daniel Tekerian; and Shane (Kelly), Reagan (Michael Techiera), and Brynn Martin.  Since 2019, Jean delighted in the births of her six great-grandchildren: Edward, Madelaine, Audrey, Alice, Walter, and Henry.  In addition, she was honored to be step-grandmother to five grand- and seven great-grandchildren. Jean is also survived by her younger sister, Carole (Lawrence) Thomas of Pittsburgh, PA.  Her parents, Mary and Eugene Buehler, and younger siblings Shirley, Paul, and Patricia, all of Pittsburgh, pre-deceased her.

Jean was born on July 17, 1927 in Pittsburgh, PA, where she was raised.  During her high school years, she was known for her love of all sports (especially bowling and basketball), her sewing skills, and her artistic ability – all of which she continued to demonstrate throughout her life.  After graduating high school, she worked at the Hospital Service Association of Pittsburgh.

Although Jean grew up a mere three miles from Jack in Pittsburgh and their families knew one another, it wasn’t until 1948 that they met at a church dance.   After a three-year courtship, they married in 1951.   In 1959, Jack’s management career with UPS called for their relocation to the NYC metropolitan area.  There they settled into the New Jersey suburb of Dumont, where they raised their four children.  Jean was a homemaker and she enabled her family to thrive through her multiple fulltime roles including wife, mother, advisor, bookkeeper, referee, coach, hostess, volunteer, and handywoman.  At St. Mary’s Catholic Church, she was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society and Cursillo groups and a Eucharistic minister.   She was also a member of the local Women’s Club.

Upon Jack’s retirement in 1986, they relocated to Tobyhanna, PA where they attended St. Ann’s Catholic Church and were members of the Pocono Farms Country Club.  For over twenty-five years, they also spent some of the winter months on their favorite island, Barbados, where they developed many wonderful, lasting friendships.  In 1998, Jean and Jack bought their home in the Bent Pine Golf Club community in Vero Beach, FL where they enjoyed many fun years as golf and social members. During that time, they were parishioners of St. Helen Catholic Church.  In 2011, they quit the ‘snowbird’ life to live in Vero Beach full time.  In 2017, they relocated to the Indian River Estates ACTS retirement community in Vero and became parishioners of St. John of the Cross Catholic Church.  Over the years, they enjoyed and generously supported the theater, symphony, art museum and a variety of charitable causes in Vero Beach.

In retirement, Jean and Jack enjoyed traveling the U.S. and the world, enjoying wonderful adventures and making new friends along the way.  They passed on their love of travel to their grandchildren by accompanying them on trips to Alaska and Europe.

Jean enjoyed painting, sewing, crafting, swimming, tennis, golf, and some cross-country skiing in her retirement years.  She loved to play mah jongg and various card games.  Jean was smart and resourceful; kind, considerate, and emphatically fair.  She was known, even in her high school days, for being a “genuine” friend.  She didn’t like being the center of attention, but she did love when friends at Indian River Estates complimented her “beautiful white hair.”  She had a quick wit and great sense of humor which were still evident in her 98^th year.

Although her passing leaves us grieving, we are comforted knowing that Jean and Jack are now reunited and still loving and watching over their family from an even better vantage point.

Cremation was provided by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory in Vero Beach, FL.

A joint Funeral Mass will be celebrated for Jean and Jack at 10:00 a.m. on September 26, 2026 at St. Philip Catholic Church in Pittsburgh – the same church in which they were married 75 years ago. It will be followed by interment in Resurrection Cemetery and a family celebration of life.   Funeral services will be provided by the Szafranski/Eberlein Funeral Home of Carnegie, PA.

Donations in Jean’s memory can be made to the ACTS Legacy Foundation, 2250 Indian Creek Blvd West, Vero Beach FL  32966 with the memo “For Samaritan Fund in Memory of Mary “Jean” Martin.”

Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.