Virginia Ellen Martin

Virginia Ellen Martin, age 67, passed away on Sunday, November 27th, 2016 in her home surrounded by her family. Ginny was born on May 28, 1949 in South Bend, Indiana to Bruce and Vera (Robinson) Slack. She married Henry Martin on August 7, 1971 in South Bend and he survives. Ginny was accomplished in many things but her greatest joy was creating a blessed life with her best friend Henry, nurturing her daughters and wholeheartedly loving her grandchildren. Ginny was a 1971 graduate of University of Evansville with a degree in Elementary Education. Later she earned her Master’s in Education from Indiana University. In the early years of their marriage, Ginny and Henry lived in Logan, Utah where she worked as a teacher while Henry completed his PhD. The Martin’s moved to Marion in 1975 and Ginny was an active member of Tri Kappa, P.E.O., Delphian and Research Club all of which she served as president. She was a trustee, preschool teacher and active member at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Ginny taught for Marion Community Schools as an inclusion special education teacher. Ginny loved gardening and was a Master Gardner which earned her positions on landscaping committees both at their home on Lake Wawasee in Indiana and at Hampton Lake, SC. Ginny filled her days with countless bridge groups, a love for traveling, hosting gatherings in her home and a willingness to volunteer. In 2015, Ginny and Henry moved to Bluffton, SC after designing their retirement home. She is survived by her husband Henry; her father, Bruce Slack; her two brothers, Richard (Linda) Slack and Brian (Anne) Slack; two daughters, Julie (Shane) Larson of Iowa and Sarah (Justin) Sperry of Missouri. Also surviving are her six beloved grandchildren: Mackenzie Larson (6), Charlie Larson (5), Isabelle Larson (3) and Emery Larson (18mo), Sydney Sperry (8) and Samantha Sperry (6), and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 10:00am Saturday December 10, 2016 at Church of the Cross, 110 Calhoun Street, Bluffton, SC 29910 with Father Jonathan Riddle officiating. Following the service there will be a reception at Hampton Lake, 20 Hampton Lake Drive, Bluffton, SC 29910. A Celebration of Life will be held at The Garden House of Matter Park in Marion, IN on June 25th. Memorial contributions may be made, in lieu of flowers, to Hospice Care of the Lowcountry, 7 Plantation Park Dr., Bluffton, SC 29910; or Cancer Services-Grant County, 305 S. Norton St., Marion, IN 46952.