Obituary of Mary Rowbotham Martin

Mary Rowbotham Martin 2/18/18 - 9/30/10 After a long battle with Alzheimer's, Mary Rowbotham Martin died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family. A former resident of Chicago, Illinois and Stockton, California, Mary and her husband of 68 years, John Francis Martin Sr., designed and built their dream home and moved permanently to Santa Cruz in 1980. Mary was very involved with her large family and in her Holy Cross Church Community. After raising her eleven children she graduated with an art degree at UCSC in 1983. She was very active, in the 9 hole golfing group Nifty Niners, and was captain in 1991. She also enjoyed various bridge groups. Mary met her husband John at a Chicago Catholic University Club Dance in 1941. They married in 1942, and continued to love dancing together weekly until it became physically impossible. Mary loved to travel. In retirement she and John ventured to Africa, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico and throughout Europe and the U.S.A. Mary was loved by many and will be greatly missed! Survivors: Mary is survived by her husband of 68 years John, and 9 of her 11 children: John Jr., Mary Ann, Joan, Stephen, Susan, William, Daniel, Theresa, and Joseph. She was preceded in death by her sons Thomas and Timothy. Mary was also loved and cared for by her daughters-in-law: Marilyn Martin, Cynthia Martin and Kathryn Garcia. She has 10 loving grandchildren: Cameron, Jennifer, Sean Anthony, Christopher, Melissa, Lily, Nicole, Sean Michael, and Rachel and 2 great grandchildren: Kylee and Dylan. Mary is also survived by 5 of her 7 siblings: Alice Glynn, Robert Rowbotham, Clare Bozzo, John Rowbotham and James Rowbotham. Her siblings Jeanne Helbling and Charles Rowbotham preceded her in death. Services: Rosary will be said at The Chapel of the Oblates of St. Joseph, 544 W. Cliff Dr. on Wednesday, October 20 at 7:30 PM. The Memorial Mass will be at Holy Cross Church Thursday, October 21 at 1 PM. Further celebration of Mary's long, loving and fruitful life will follow at the parish hall. Special Thanks: The family sends special thanks to Dr. Jennifer Choate, Rev. Mike Marini, Rev. John Warburton OSJ, and Caroline Chambers RN of Hospice. Donations: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Francis Catholic Kitchen, 205 Mora St., Santa Cruz, where Mary volunteered for many years. Holy Cross Church, 126 High St, The Oblates of St. Joseph, 544 W. Cliff Dr or Hospice of Santa Cruz County, 940 Disc Dr. Scotts Valley.