Marjorie Ann Martin

With profound sadness, we announce that Marjorie (Grant) Martin peacefully passed away on August 24, 2026. Born December 13, 1935, in Visalia, California, to Claud and Vera, Marge graduated from Visalia High School in 1953. Selling tickets as a teenager and young adult at the Fox Theater forever remained one of her favorite jobs because it allowed her to enjoy the bustle of Main Street in the 1950s. Piano player, bricklayer, cartoonist, and magician, her greatest love-and skill-was sewing. Taught by her mother and driven by economics, she sewed many of her own clothes well into adulthood. As a young girl, she mastered the "yard skirt" and could make a dress from a single yard of fabric for a mere 35 cents. Despite being proficient at everything from dresses to drapes, it was her ability to tailor a man's suit from scratch that gave her the most pride because it was the most difficult. Marge met Hanford's Tom Martin while attending C.O.S. and was among the first group of students to enroll at Fresno State's new campus on Shaw Avenue. She obtained her teaching credential and wed Tom in 1957. Settling in Hanford, Marge spent her first year of teaching in Orosi. The next four decades were spent corralling second and third graders in the Hanford school district. Often "asked" to teach a combination class of both grades, she remained enthusiastic despite the added workload. Later, she confessed to preferring the third grade because "that's when they start developing a sense of humor." Always up for a challenge, mid-career she was offered a job leading an Infant Stimulation Program, where working with children with special needs filled her heart and her days. As a testament to her love of teaching and commitment to everything she touched, Marge jumped headlong into learning sign language for the job. She eventually returned to public schools to finish her career. After retirement, Marge and Tom followed their dream of living in the mountains and bought a rustic cabin that they transformed into their beautiful Bass Lake home. Quiet times were spent enjoying the mountain air and devouring nonfiction books. Marge particularly enjoyed reading tales of true crime and Bill O'Reilly's "Killing" series. Together, Marge and Tom traveled by car through all 48 contiguous states. The cherry on top came when they took their first cruise and visited Alaska on their 50th wedding anniversary. Marge was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her only sister, Ruth Ellen Lancaster, and her only brother, Galen Grant. She is survived by her son, Stan Martin, her daughter, Margaret Hervo, and her son-in-law, Mark Hervo. Most importantly, she is survived by her beloved terrier mix, Curly. Adopted 15 years ago at the age of two after Marge saw his picture in the Fresno Bee, the dog who was never supposed to get on any of the furniture quickly took command of the house, melted her heart, and spent every night sleeping by her side for the rest of her life. The graveside service will be held on Monday, September 14, at 1:00 p.m. at Visalia Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Marge would much prefer that you donate to Curly's saviors, the Central California SPCA. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Marjorie Ann Martin

December 13, 1935 - August 24, 2026