K. Dolores "Dee" Marcel Martin

K. Dolores ""Dee"" Marcel Martin, 86, passed peacefully on Feb. 2, 2014, after spending the day surrounded by her family. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday February 6, 2014 at St. John Vianney Church, 7575 Bellflower Road, Mentor. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, favorite aunt, cousin and dear friend to many.Dee was born on Nov. 6, 1927, in Mount Vernon, N.Y. After a childhood filled with tap dance lessons, playing on the fire escape in the tenement apartment, family parties and talking her dear cousin into doing things they shouldn't, Dee moved with her family in her teens to Painesville, where she made her home. She graduated from Harvey High School, class of 1945 and remained an active member of her class planning reunions through last year. In 1946, she was named Lake County ""Snow Queen."" After her graduation, she worked at the Lake County Probate Court and then at the law firm of Tuttle & Hubbard in Painesville. It was then that she met and married the love of her life, Robert (Bob) E. Martin Sr. through their participation in the St. Mary's Painesville young adult group. She said that upon seeing his smile, she knew she would marry him. Filled with a commitment to her family and a dedication to active contribution to the community, Dee was involved in managing her husband's successful campaigns for Lake County Commissioner and Lake County Treasurer. She also dedicated her time to causes that meant the most to her, including serving as a member and past officer of the St. Mary's Painesville Mothers Club; charter member and past officer of the Christ Child Society of the Western Reserve; first woman member of the Lake-Geauga Serra Club; volunteer for the Lake County YMCA (Central) and as an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Painesville for many years (Eucharistic Minister, Parish Council, Holy Name Society, Bereavement Ministry). As her children grew, she started a 30-year career as a Realtor and an appraiser, first with Wetzel Realty then with Century 21 Launders, both in Painesville. In 1995, she was appointed to the Lake County Board of Revision where she served until 2013.Not one to stay idle, Dee loved to travel. First with her husband, she traveled the U.S. as well as to Greece and then through Europe. She also visited Mexico, Rome, London and Prague, flew on the Concorde, cruised to the Bahamas and the Caribbean, hiked the Great Wall of China, cruised the Nile, and rode a camel at the Pyramids in Egypt, and went zip-lining with her family in southern Ohio. She visited her ancestral home in O'Briensbridge, County Clare, Ireland, multiple times. Her great joy was her family and her many dear friends. Over the last several years, Saturday nights with the ""Merry Widows"" became a source of joy. There was always a reason for a party, and she taught all that being together and remembering those you love was most important. Dolores is survived by her children, Bob (Nancy) Martin of Willoughby, Kathy Martin of Willoughby, Rick (Beth) Martin of Mentor, and Suzanne (Bill) Cason of Mentor on the Lake; grandchildren, Elisabeth (Christopher) Shirring, Amanda (Matthew) Kidd, Luke and Gabe Liberatore, Lauren Martin, Rob (Amanda) Cason, Morgan Cason; great-grandchildren, Olivia Shirring and Brynley Kidd; sisters, Linda (Ed) Lucas and Arlene (Tom) Borger; brother, E. Thomas (Judi) Marcel; and many loving nieces, nephews and friends.She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert E. Martin Sr.; and her parents, Edward and Katherine Marcel. The family will receive friends from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center 8466 Mentor Ave., Mentor. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Painesville. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to The Christ Child Society of the Western Reserve, 1535-R Mentor Ave., Painesville, OH 44077 or to Birthright Lake Inc. 7471 Tyler Blvd., Mentor, OH 44060. Online obituary at www.brunners.com

K. Dolores "Dee" Marcel Martin

November 6, 1927 - February 2, 2014