Mary Therese (Smith) Martin of Bradley, Illinois passed away peacefully on Monday, November 24, 2025 at the age of 96 with family by her side.
A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 9-10:30 a.m. at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., at St. Joseph Church in Bradley. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery in Bourbonnais.
Mary was born the daughter of Hilaire “Patsy” Smith and Mary Patricia (McGrath) on May 5, 1929 in Kankakee, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Jean Smith Elliot, and her daughter Jacquelyn Keller.
Mary Therese married Homer T. Martin on November 6, 1954 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manteno. Until Homer’s death in July 2024, they were each other’s life long and loving companions for almost 70 years. They were blessed with five children, Barbara (Mike) Henry of Joliet, Jackie (Karl) Keller of Bourbonnais, Patrick (Sheila) Martin of Manteno, Meghan (Mike) Downey of Bourbonnais, and Joanne (Steve) Boettinger of Whitefish Bay, WI. They have fourteen grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren. Spending time with family was the great joy of Mary’s life. Whether it was caring for them, baking for them (especially her chocolate chip cookies!), or attending and watching the many activities they were involved in, she never wanted to miss a thing.
Mary’s 96 years were filled with the simple pleasures of faith, family, gardening, reading, crafting and sewing. She was known to be a night owl with some of her best work being done after midnight! Doing her daily crossword puzzles kept her mind sharp and her knowledge of six and seven letter words for all kinds of things unmatched. Mary never met a holiday she didn’t celebrate. In addition to taking care of her family and her home, Mary was the office manager for Homer & Harry Martin Construction Company for over 25 years. Mary was a life-long parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bradley. She volunteered countless hours over the years assisting with many of the parish needs as well as counting the weekly collection deposits. She enjoyed her many years singing in the parish choir as well.
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