Jane Martin

Jane Karch Martin served the greater Cleveland community for many years in two helping professions: Teacher of our youth and Counselor of adults and youth with chemical addictions. As such, she touched many lives in wonderful ways. God only knows the fruits of her labor in His service. She was born in 1946 in the corridors of University Hospitals This was the start of the baby boom and the maternity wards were full. to Mary Sargent Karch and George F. Karch, Sr. Hers was a very successful family with her Father becoming Chairman of The Cleveland Trust Co., Ohio?À?s largest bank and tenth largest in the country. Jane, her two brothers and one sister all went through the Shaker School System. George became a highly recognized litigator for Thompson, Hine, and Flory while Sarge became Counsel for the National Football League. In her youth, Jane was a ?À?tomboy?À? and pitched for the Onaway boys?À? baseball team until they discovered that she was a girl. She was never one for formality, pomp and circumstance. None-the-less, she did accommodate her Mother by being introduced to society by the Cotillion Society in 1965. After graduating from Shaker Heights High School, Jane attended the College of Wooster, earning a B.A. degree in Sociology in 1969. In the fall of 1970, Jane began her Special Education teaching career with Orchard Elementary School in Cleveland. Her classroom was in the 19th century annex portion of the school. One highlight of her time at Orchard was the theatrical production of Jack and Beanstock for parents and friends. In the fall of 1975, Jane married Edward A. Martin, an engineer with The Cleveland Twist Drill Co., largest cutting tool manufacturer in the world. While her teaching career was on hold, she tutored at Oxford School in Cleveland Heights. In the late 1970?À?s, Jane transitioned to in-patient counseling of adults and youth with alcohol and drug addictions. She worked for Horizon Center the Cuyahoga County rehab facility for adults with chemical addiction, Willowridge, and Family Health. In the mid-1990?À?s, Jane returned to her teaching career, restarting as an aide at Shaker Heights High School. She subsequently became certified and licensed as a teacher again, teaching and tutoring special needs students. Jane had great passion for her avocations. She was a collector and student of American decorative arts. In particular, she was an expert in American silhouettes, lighting devices, samplers, and inks. She wrote and lectured on topics and belonged to a number of national and local collecting groups. Jane loved to travel out east with her husband to visit old houses and museums. She became fast friends with a number of curators in the museum world, many of whom visited with them at their home. Her favorite place of all was Mount Vernon, home of George Washington in Virginia. Jane was diagnosed with Stage 4 Esophageal Cancer in mid-March. She immediately began chemotherapy at the Hirsch Cancer Center at Hillcrest Hospital. Despite the best efforts of a wonderful staff of doctors and nurses, the steady progression of this dreadful form of cancer took its toll on September 11th. Jane had suffered terribly for six months and is now at peace with her Lord. A Memorial Service to celebrate her life is planned for Saturday, September 25th at 11:00 a.m. at Garfield Memorial Church in Pepper Pike. She was the loving wife of Edward A. Martin. She was the dear sister of George F. Karch, Jr. Carolyn of Chagrin Falls, OH, Betsy Karch Wilson Richard of Northport, MI. Dear sister-in-law of Karen Karch of Bethesda, MD and Daniel Martin Christine of Chicago, IL; daughter-in-law of Paula Martin. She is also survived by her loyal whippet, Mary Martin, and 14 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by: her parents, George F. Karch, Sr. and Mary Sargent Karch; her brother, Sargent Karch. The family prefers that those who wish make contributions in her name to The Gathering Place, 23300 Commerce Park, Beachwood, OH 44122 or to Garfield Memorial Church, 3650 Lander Rd, Pepper Pike, OH 44124.


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