Jean Ann (Gray) Martin

Jean Ann (Gray) Martin was born Feb 28, 1934 in Lafayette, Ind. to Paul E. and Ida M. Gray. She was raised in Fowler, Ind. and graduated from Fowler High School in 1952. After graduation she attended Purdue University and earned a degree in home economics education graduating in 1956. She also earned her"Mrs." when she married her college sweetheart, Dean Martin, on June 5,1955. They have four children Robert (Judy), Richard (Doreen), Stephen (Melissa) and Sue Rees. She spent her early married life moving from Japan to Illinois to Colorado to Urbana, Ill. ln 1970 the family moved to Cheney.

Jean and Dean have visited many countries including Australia, American Samoa, Fiji, all through Europe, Russia and China. For the last 25 years, Dean and Jean have been traditional jazz groupies. They have attended jazz festivals from San Diego to Virginia to Vancouver, British Columbia. They danced and enjoyed the company of many jazzers.

Dean and Jean were the co-directors of the Spokane Dixieland Jazz Festival for nine years. Jean was an avid quilter. She taught quilting, made quilts for all the family and many clothes for herself and her husband. She entered many of her projects in shows in Washington and was awarded many ribbons.

Jean is survived by her husband, Dean, four children, 10 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Although Jean has finally found peace after a seven-year battle with dementia she will be dearly missed.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 8, at Cheney Funeral Chapel, 1632 W. First St., Cheney. In Lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer's Association, 910 W. 5th Ave., Ste. 256, Spokane, WA 99204. Online guestbook at cheneyfuneral.com