Anna Marie Martin

Only four days away from her 21st/84th birthday, Anna Marie (Matthews) Martin,  succumbed to a multi-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease, on February 25th, 2020, in Toledo, Ohio. She only had 20 birthdays, but was eighty-three years young. Anna was born at 8 p.m. at home in Barr Township, Daviess County, Indiana on 29 February 1936. She was the third child and second daughter of Cletus Joseph Matthews and Retha Eugenia Bedwell who both preceded her in death. She attended Parson’s School, north of Montgomery, where all those attending were Amish, except Anna, her brother Norman, her sister Veronica and the teacher. She later attended school in Cannelburg until the family moved to Washington Township, where she attended Jefferson Elementary, grades two through eight. Attending Washington Catholic High School, she was a member of the National Honor Society and during her senior year, she was editor of the “Spotlight”, the school’s newspaper. Employment was quite varied for Anna. In her youth, she performed duties as a maid at the homes of Dr. Rang, Dr. Schafer, and for Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Graham Sr. In 1951, Anna traveled to the summer home of the Grahams in Michigan with her sister Veronica, in service for the Graham family. She was a seamstress for the Sports Mart and sales clerk at G.C. Murphy’s Company. Anna also worked as a photographer for 10 years with her former husband of 33 years, Lee Martin. Looking to broaden her career in 1973, she attended Vincennes University, enrolling in the Registered Nurse Program. She successfully completed the states board examinations for certification as a registered nurse in 1975. Anna retired as a nurse from the Daviess County Hospital after twenty-five years of dedicated service. Anna had been a Cub Scout Den Mother, had assisted with the Brownies, and was a member of the Business and Professional Womens Club.  Her hobbies were camping, reading, aerobics, Reiki, and she loved birding. Other interests included palmistry, tarot cards, and astrology.  She had five children, six grandchildren, and several great grandchildren. She is survived by her children, Phillip and Royce Ann (Skinner) Martin of Monclova, Ohio; Peggy Clinton of Fortville, Indiana; Tony and Marilyn (Walls)Martin of Vallonia, Indiana; Jackie Martin of Shelburn, Indiana; and Mike Martin of Spergeon, Indiana.  She is also survived by her sisters, Monica Mattingly (Larry) of Washington, Indiana, and Jeannie Shimer (Chuck) of Largo, Florida, and one brother, Ed Matthews (Theresa Deitz) of Washington, Indiana. She also had several nieces and nephews. Her parents and brothers, Norman and Joseph and sister Veronica, preceded her in death.  At her request, there were no services.  As per her wishes, she was cremated and the remains are with the family.  We will always carry her memory in our hearts. Memorial contributions can be made via a go fund me page to place a granite memorial bench at the East Side Park for the lower park lake in Washington Indiana.  The website is www.gofundme.com/f/5s3cq4-memorial-bench?utm_source