Jean Marilyn (Bishop) Martin

Jean Marilyn (Bishop) Martin   (1932 - 2013) Athol – Jean Marilyn (Bishop) Martin, 81, formerly of Lee Street, died Friday, December 6, 2013, at Wingate of East Longmeadow.      Jean was born in Littleton, New Hampshire on June 2, 1932, the daughter of Elwood and Madalene (Morse) Bishop.  She grew up in the White Mountains Region of New Hampshire, graduating from Lisbon High School in 1950.  Jean and her only sibling, Barbara, lived with their parents and extended family on the family’s dairy farm, the Bishop Farm, in Lisbon, NH.   A petite woman, Jean proudly shared stories of her childhood experiences, including learning to drive a tractor as a teenager, horseback riding, milking cows, and shoveling snow during the long North Country winters.  As a young woman, she also participated in the Lisbon 4-H Club, competing at county fairs and at the state and national levels.      In 1964, Jean moved with her husband, David, and their six young children to Orange, where she lived for many years before living in Athol from 1979 until 2008.  While living in Orange, Jean cared for her large family as well as provided childcare for other children in her home.  Later, she worked as a waitress for 12 years at the former Batch’s Restaurant in Orange.        While living in Athol, Jean took pleasure in being a homemaker and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren who grew up in Athol.   She often joined her husband, David, on walks with their two Shetland sheepdogs, “Lucky” and “Teddy”, at Silver Lake.  Jean enjoyed reading newspapers and keeping up with local news and current events.  She regularly watched her children and grandchildren play on their respective high school and college sports teams, and she watched all types of sports on TV.  Jean was a loyal fan of New England’s professional and college sports teams.        Jean instilled in her family, by her own example, her values of hard work, sacrifice, simple living, kindness, and gratitude.   Jean will always be remembered for her unconditional love and devotion to her family and as the quiet, humble “Rock” of the family – who was also playful and had a sharp sense of humor.  She was a devoted letter-writer and always remembered to send birthday and holiday cards to her family spread across the United States and overseas.      In 2007, the former Bishop Farm was purchased and renovations started on a bed and breakfast and country-wedding venue.  Jean and her family were delighted and honored when the new owners decided to restore the farmhouse to reflect the time period of Jean’s childhood.  Jean was very proud that her childhood home is now the “Bishop Farm Bed and Breakfast” (www.bishopfarm.com) in Lisbon, NH.   Jean enjoyed visiting her sister and remaining family in the Lisbon area, and returned on several occasions to the Bishop Farm Bed and Breakfast where she was treated as a very special and honored guest by the new owners and operators.        Jean’s husband of 60 years, David Lawrence Martin, died October 4, 2013, also at Wingate of East Longmeadow. Jean’s youngest son, Robert Steven Martin, also predeceased her on August 2, 2013 in Bullhead City, AZ.  Jean is survived by two sons, William Martin and his wife Mary of East Longmeadow, and Richard Martin and his wife Suzanne of Athol; three daughters, Cynthia Martin and her husband Zhaoyu Wan of Skokie, IL, Cheryl Martin and her life companion Janice of Westfield, and Tamara “Tammy” Martin and her life companion Luisa of Arlington, VA; and daughter-in-law Lynn Martin of Orange.        Jean is also survived by six grandchildren, Matthew Martin of Millbury, Shanna (Martin) Moraga of Worcester, Christopher Martin of Westminster, MD, Sarah (Martin) Carter of Windham, ME, and Leontyne and Isaac Wan, both of Skokie, IL.  Jean leaves her older sister, Barbara (Bishop) White, of Lisbon, NH, and her sister’s children, nieces Deborah, Margaret, and Nancy, and nephew Thomas, and many other relatives.      Funeral services will be held Sunday, December 15, 2013 at 1:00 pm at Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main Street, Athol, with the Rev. Dr. Beverly Prestwood-Taylor, pastor of the Athol Congregational Church, officiating.  A private family burial of Jean and David Martin, and their son, Robert, will be at Silver Lake Cemetery at the convenience of the family.  There are no calling hours.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions “in memory of Jean Bishop Martin” can be made to:  Life Choice Hospice, 15 Midstate Drive, Suite 215, Auburn, MA 01501 (www.lifechoicehospice.com).  For further information or to share a memory with the family, go to:  www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com. $(document).ready(function(){ });