Loretta Jean (Raby) Martin

April 11, 1940 – May 11, 2017

Loretta Martin of Cadillac, Michigan, passed away on May 11, 2017 from complications due to Parkinson’s Disease. Loretta was preceded in death by her parents Herbert and Lucille Raby, and sisters: Mary Ellen Raby and Barb Hayhoe.

Loretta is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Stan Martin, and her four children: Dorothy (Tim) Keplinger, Dawn (Jeff) Jonas, Deb (Rick) Clark and Eric (Melissa) Martin; seven grandchildren:  Zach Pombier, Kara Jonas, Grace and Amelia Martin, Tierney (Patrick) O’Dowd, Matt and Jase Keplinger; and nine great-grandchildren.

Loretta is also survived by her siblings: Fred (Dorothy) Raby, Trudy (Walter) Dackiw, Bob Raby, Martha (Kim) Sturmer, Beth Raby, Cathy (Steve) Moss, brother-in-law Mike Hayhoe, numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Loretta served with the Sisters of Saint Joseph in Kalamazoo for six years.  As a sister, she taught first grade at St. Mary Margaret in Detroit and studied at Nazareth College. Upon leaving the convent, she became a LPN and worked at St. Lawrence Hospital in Lansing.  She left nursing to raise her children and finish her bachelor’s degree at Spring Arbor College.  Loretta then pursued a teaching career at St. John’s Elementary in Jackson for 17 years.

Loretta was very active in her church community, serving both St. Catherine Laboure in Concord, and St. John the Evangelist in Jackson. She was very creative, and enjoyed all aspects of crafting. She also loved music, nature, spending time with her family, and MSU sports. Loretta and Stan retired to Cadillac in 2013. Loretta will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

The family would like to thank Curry House and Hospice of Michigan, both of Cadillac, for the wonderful care that Loretta received during the last months of her illness.

A visitation is planned on Monday, May 15th from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. with a rosary at 7:30 p.m. at Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel, 325 W. Washtenaw St., Lansing, MI.

A Funeral Mass will be held in Loretta’s honor at St. Mary Cathedral in Lansing on Tuesday, May 16, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. with Monsignor Bernard Reilly as Celebrant.  Rite of Christian Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Lansing. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to Hospice of Michigan Cadillac, 932 N. Mitchell St., Cadillac, MI 49601.