Josephine "Jay" Martz, 97, of Ludington, Michigan, Hamlin Township, passed away peacefully at her home on February 10, 2018, surrounded by her family.  Josephine Marek was born August 25, 1920, in Ludington, Michigan, to Anthony and Mary (Motika) Marek.  She grew up in Ludington, Michigan, Amber Township and attended Lincoln Valley School and Ludington High School.  She left high school to get a job to help the family financially during the Great Depression, eventually graduating from Fullerton Union High School in 1967.  Attending cosmetology (beautician) school in Muskegon, Michigan, she began to fulfill her career dream of becoming a hairdresser.

Jay married Charles Larry Martz, a WWII Army Air Corps navigator on October 20, 1945.  After moving to Minnesota, Charles and Jay were blessed with the birth of their daughter Patricia.  They moved to Lansing, Michigan then eventually moved to Fullerton, California where Jay worked as a hairdresser, ultimately starting her own business offering services to nursing home residents.  The couple returned to Ludington after retirement.  She loved spending time with her family, growing flowers (particularly roses and orchids), cooking, baking (pies), making jewelry, and above all knitting and crocheting creative gifts for family members. Jay also enjoyed being a Girl Scout leader.

Jay is survived by: her daughter, Patricia Martz; sister-in-law, Julia Morell; and brother-in-law, Donald Marrison.

Jay was preceded in death by: her husband, Charles; her sisters, Rose Rudnicki, Sophia Ruby and Anne Marrison; and her brother, Henry Marek.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:30 PM, Saturday, February 24, 2018, at St. Simon Catholic Church, in Ludington, with Father Wayne B. Wheeler presiding.  Interment will be in the Center Riverton Cemetery.  The family will receive friends Saturday from 12:00 PM until time of Mass as the church.

Memorial contributions may be made directly to the family or to the account for Jay Martz at GoFundMe.com.

The family is grateful to everyone for all their support of prayers, helping hands, encouragement and kind words.  We appreciate the love you've given to Jay. God bless you.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service-Pere Marquette Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com