Iris Martin

Iris "Marty" Martin was born December 13, 1919, in Salyersville, Kentucky, to the late Lee and Sara Martin. She went home on October 25, 2009, in Columbus, Ohio at age 89. She was preceded in death by her brother Colonel Francis Lee Martin, and sisters Norma Jean Martin and Janice Claire Reed. She is survived by her sister Evelyn and brother-in-law Eugene Wiley of Columbus. Also remaining behind are nephews Keith Wiley of Columbus, and Craig and Lara Wiley of Galloway; nieces, Lori and Bryan Humphrey of Heath, and Beth and Rich Romonosky of Columbus. Also staying behind are great-nieces Sara and Alan Moore, Allison and JD Arney and Jennifer Wiley, Ashton Wiley, Chelsea Wiley, and Camille Humphrey, Rachel Romonosky, Rebeka Romonosky and great-nephew Zachery Humphrey; great-great-nieces Campbell and Kendall Moore and great-great-nephew Carter Arney. Marty graduated from Salyersville High School in 1938 and then attended the Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Huntington, West Virginia. After graduating from nursing school in 1944 she was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army where she proudly served during World War II and after. Following military service Marty continued to travel and serve as a nurse around the country. She was fond of saying that they "traveled until they ran out of money then got jobs in the closest hospital" and that she "was still on leave from several hospitals". She was licensed as a registered nurse in West Virginia, Arizona, Wyoming, and Ohio. She settled in Columbus and began working at Mercy Hospital in the early 1950's and retired from there in 1985. She never lost her love of traveling making many trips to Hawaii with her friends, and family, over the years going with philosophy of having "champagne tastes with a beer pocket book" and "packing half the clothes and twice the money". Still traveling she is now going to a place she's never been and it's the best place she will ever be. After arriving in Columbus she discovered downtown Lazarus Department store and was a faithful customer until the store closed. She solidified her "favorite aunt" status by taking her nieces and nephews downtown on many special occasions and especially during the Christmas season. The holidays were always officially kicked off when a trip to see the Town Street window display, Santa Clause and shopping had occurred. She was a 44 year survivor of breast cancer, having defeated the beast in 1965. She was a member of the Southwood Church of Christ in Columbus. The family would like to thank the staff of Mt. Carmel Hospice and their Hospice workers for their tender care. In lieu of flowers please consider making a contribution to Mt. Carmel Hospice in her memory, The Women in Military Service Memorial, or making a donation or volunteering your time to the charity of choice. Remember to cherish and honor the older friends and family members in your life while they are still here by spending time with them. "Woo Wee what a life!". Family will receive friends Wednesday 4-8 p.m. at GRAUMLICH FUNERAL HOME, 1351 S. High St., where service will be held Thursday 10 a.m., Minister Ray Russell officiating. Interment Franklin Hills Memory Gardens.