Mary Martel

Mary Ruth Martel, 76, of Albuquerque, NM, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2024. She was born on November 21, 1947, in Chicago, IL; grew up in Kalamazoo, MI, where she Graduated from University High School; and moved to New Mexico in 1971, where she lived the remainder of her life. She was a beloved mother to Karole Grano (David), David Mann (Liesl), Jason Martel (Nikole), and James Gabriel Martel (Sarah); whom she raised by herself as a single parent. Mary was known affectionately as "Grammy" to her grandchildren Kristopher (Jo Jo), Isaak, Alyn, Chase, Elizabeth, Bradley, Thomas, Andrew, Dylan, and great-grandchildren Owen and Nora. She is also survived by her siblings Bill, Cheryl, David, Vicki, and Liz.

Mary earned multiple bachelor’s and master’s degrees, including K-12 Education, Sociology, and Native American Culture. She was passionate about teaching and touched the lives of many students throughout more than 40 years in elementary education, with 11 of those years spent at the Mescalero Apache Tribal School.

In her free time, Mary enjoyed traveling in her RV and camping, especially with her children and grandchildren. She had a deep love for John Denver's music and a strong connection to nature. She often enjoyed telling people that the only time all 4 of her children called her on the same day, was the day John died.

Mary was preceded in death by her son, Jason Martel, her parents Louis and Ruth Grother, and her spouses Wendell "Butch" Mann and Peter Martel.

A celebration of Mary's life is being planned to honor her memory. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. May she rest in peace.