Jean Martin (nee Reimers) was born Aug. 9, 1918, in Cleveland, during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic. She peacefully departed during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic on June 13, 2020, in San Jose, Calif.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Flossie Reimers; two brothers, George and Charles Reimers; sister, Ida May Brinkman; husband of 67 years, David Martin; son James Martin; granddaughter Jennifer Beach; and son-in-law, Ronald Beach.
Jean is survived by her two daughters, Lee Beach, of Chagrin Falls, and Judith Martin (Dennis Elliott), of San Jose, Calif.; son Thomas Martin (Barbara Frances), of Elmyra, Ore.; four granddaughters, Betsy Mosgo (Matt), of North Ridgeville, Barbara Makee (Brian Frabotta), of Perry, Megan Jones (Jeremy), of Eugene, Ore., and Emily Kavanaugh-Martin (Kyle Blair), of Springfield, Ore.; six grandsons, Steven Cannon (Mary), of San Jose, Calif., Timothy Cannon (Sylvia), of Rocklin, Calif., Daniel Beach (Victoria), of Bainbridge Township, Michael Beach (Julie Podracky), of Auburn Township, David Martin (Wendi), of Perry, and Sean Cannon (Andrea), of Lincoln, Calif.; nine great-granddaughters, Hunter Block-Beach, Ellie Martin, Leah Martin, Julia Cannon, Jada Jones, Kiera Jones, Calleigh Cannon, Miranda Cannon and Violet Beach; five great-grandsons, Devon Martin, James Martin, Benjamin Cannon, Michael Makee and Cannon Beach; two great-great-grandsons, Caleb Martin and Giovanni Martin; five nephews, David Brinkman, Dean Brinkman, Daniel Mazzolini, Joseph Mazzolini and Craig Reimers; sister-in-law, Lee Reimers; and daughter-in-law, Tena Martin.
Jean earned a bachelor’s degree, majoring in education, from The Ohio State University. She then taught physical education at a private school and, later, at Cleveland Heights High School. She loved coaching field hockey and would celebrate her victorious teams by entertaining them in her home.
She remained young at heart her entire life by staying active: playing tennis year-round, where she exceled as a champion, and exercising at the Chardon YMCA until she reached the age of 97 years.
In earlier years, her personal athletic prowess included modern dancing, running, cross country skiing, karate and swimming.
Jean met her husband, David Martin, at the tennis courts when she was 18 years old. They played tennis on summer weekends at their neighborhood courts in Cleveland Heights, where they lived until 1957.
Jean focused her time as a community volunteer, teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School at the Church of the Savior; leading a Girl Scouts Troop; working as a Cub Scout den mother; serving on the PTA; and leading a Great Books Association discussion group.
When her family moved to Lyndhurst, in 1958, to continue raising her four children, she earned her master’s degree, majoring in counseling, from Western Reserve University.
After her children left home, Jean relocated to Chardon, where she jumped into community service. She was a precinct worker, and volunteered for the American Cancer Society, Cleveland Women’s Physical Education & Recreation Association, March of Dimes, United Way, Mental Health Association, League of Women Voters, Geauga County Retired Teachers Association, Chardon YMCA, Geauga County Republican Women’s Club — where she earned a Lifetime Achievement Award — and Ohio Federation of Republican Women — where she was honored by the Ohio Senate.
She was often elected president or chairperson of these non-profit organizations. Frequently, she wrote speeches for state and local politicians.
Jean taught for 25 years before retiring so she could travel the world. Destinations included camping trips to National Parks throughout the USA, cruises to Alaska, Hawaii, Barbados and St. Maarten, and adventures to Canada, Norway, Costa Rica, Mexico, France, Switzerland, Greece, Germany, Italy and Singapore.
Jean was always supportive, always present and always involved in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren’s lives, taking them on nature walks, to museums, on road trips, to the library, to the beach and organizing holiday parties for her extended family.
Her off-spring would anticipate the certain arrival of her letters, special birthday gifts and holiday packages.
Later in life, Jean developed a passion for music and played her piano for hours during the day, then avidly read about astronomy, politics, education, sports and science well into the night.
She became her beloved husband’s caregiver during his nine-year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Jean maintained her home in Chardon until she relocated to San Jose, Calif., at the age of 97 to be close to her West Coast family. She briefly lived with her daughter, Judith Martin, and her caregiver son-in-law, Dennis Elliott, until she moved into assisted living. Her extensive family will miss her dearly and will forever hold her in their hearts.
A Celebration of Life will take place near Chardon, when COVID-19 subsides, enabling safe travel and gatherings. Further announcements will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Jean’s memory be made to: Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org/nca/donate); American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org/involved/donate); The Ohio State Alumni Association (www.giveto.osu.edu/makeagift/); or Mental Health Association in Geauga County, 11850 Mayfield Road, Suite 1, Chardon, OH 44024.
Weep not for me though I have gone
Into that gentle night
Grieve if you will, but not for long
Upon my soul’s sweet flight
I am at peace, my soul’s at rest
There is no need for tears
For with your love I was so blessed
For all those many years
There is no pain, I suffer not
The fear is now all gone
Put now these things out of your thoughts
In your memory I live on
Remember not my fight for breath
Remember not the strife
Please do not dwell upon my death
But celebrate my life
(Author Unknown)