Mary Martin, 83
Mary Florence (Bridge) Martin, 83, passed away peacefully Jan. 6, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. She was born March 13, 1941, to Dr. Walter and Frances Bridge, and she grew up in Spokane, Wash.
She gave birth to her first child, Mark Hyland, who was adopted by loving parents in Minnesota and then in 1960 she married Marvin Harrell Ownbey and together they had four children, Miriam (Noble), Michael, Michele (Engelbrecht) and Marc. They were an Air Force family. They got divorced and she later remarried Mike Martin in 1979, and they lived in Whittier, Calif. In Whittier, they had a little fast-food restaurant called Tastee Freeze, and when they moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, they had a power washing business called Panhandle Powerwash.
Throughout her life she loved to sing (she actually recorded a song on an album when she was younger) and she was a gifted seamstress. She was also a talented artist and painted many oil paintings. She also loved to cook and to garden and was famous for her garlic pickles (from her garden).
She was an animal lover as well, and she and Mike had many of them, cats, dogs, cows and horses. She loved the Lord, and we can celebrate with her, knowing she is having a HUGE family reunion in Heaven.
She was preceded in death by her three brothers, James, Paul and David; her eldest son, Mark Hyland; her grandson, Jacob Mattos; and her husband, Mike Martin.
She is survived by her four children, Miriam (Gary) Noble, Michael Ownbey, Michele (Bob) Englebrecht and Marc (Elenore) Ownbey and stepchildren Steven (Tammy) Martin and Lori (Philip) Pierce. And her grandchildren, Brooke Mattos, Megan and Ryan Ownbey and Jonathan and Erica Valenzuela. And her step-grandchildren Taylor (Justin) Lopez, Mackenzie Martin, Braydon (Abby) Martin, Aaron (Cheyenne) Pierce, Brett (Corrie) Pierce, Shandee Engelbrecht and Myrandda (Will) Jarrett and her nine great step-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held in spring for both her and Mike Martin, who passed away June 13, 2023.
A special closing note to my mom. My mom and I had a falling out a few years ago. The reason is not as important as the end result of forgiving each other. We reconciled and I was able to have phone calls with her, to encourage her and the calls ended with prayer. So yes, sometimes relationships with loved ones get messy, but true forgiveness provides a way back to a relationship again. And for my mom and I, we chose to let forgiveness be the end of the matter, and our relationship was restored. Mom, I love you and look forward to seeing you again in Heaven and the beautiful garden that you will have there because I know you will have one! — Michele
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
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