October 14, 1948 – February 19, 2013
Marti was one of the first girls I met at Pius. Coming from St. Rose in DeSoto, I was wondering how I would fit in with the other freshmen from other parts of the county but Marti introduced herself and we became instant friends, a friendship that lasted until her untimely death decades later.
Marti was very pretty, smart and loyal. She loved her two boys and her three grandkids and babysat often. Her love of rock music in the 60’s transitioned later in life to country music. In high school while cruising Festus, we would harmonize to the Mamas and Papas songs. Cheryl Herbst Hobbs was also one of the 3 Musketeers, although she wasn’t a great singer! (sorry Cheryl!) I went to many concerts with Marti and road trips to Texas, Arkansas, Michigan and St. Louis. There was never a dull moment when we got together…we laughed and sometimes we cried.
Like most of us, Marti’s life was a series of ups and downs. Her diabetes was her downfall. I witnessed several of her diabetic comas, but luckily managed to bring her out of them. But unfortunately she was alone when she had her last one which took her life. Getting that call from her son was devastating. Her mother asked me if there was anything of Marti’s that I might want. I remembered admiring her coffee table and asked if it was available. I have it now in my living room with the picture we had made at the House on the Rocks on our trip to Michigan and her fancy mirror that her mother also gave me. I cherish it.
I miss her everyday. Her Tuesday night calls when Dean was playing poker with the guys were always catch-up time and we would talk for hours. Her pretty face comes up on my computer screen often and I always stop and touch it and say hello. If I know Marti, she’s in the heavenly choir teaching the angels Mamas and Papas songs or Loretta Lynn songs. I hope to see her again someday. RIP Marti!!
