Elizabeth Jean (Gloekler) Martin

Age 86, of Castle Shannon, on Wednesday, July 1, 2015. Jean was preceded in death by her husband, George K., her sister Mary Frances and brother Walter. She is survived by her sister, Roseanne (Thomas); her children -- David, James (Joetta), Patrick (Patty), Paul (Rebekah), Susan (Tim) Brazel and Diane (Tim) Murray; her grandchildren Meghan, James (Lauren), Ian, Elizabeth (Nate), Maria, Gabrielle, Daniel, Anna, Timothy, Emily, Luke, Ryan, Grace, Will, Ben, and Julia; and her great-grandchildren Nathan Jr., Josiah and Noah. The organizer, the occasion-marker, the glue. She’d put a date on the calendar a year in advance and the whole family would be there: pretzel salad and holiday beef at Christmas, plus picnics, Gloekler family reunions, and Martin Vacation -- a week at the shore for more than 30 years. You can bet there would be peanut butter cookies and coffee cake and endless bags of peanut M&Ms. She was the third of four children born to Elizabeth and Walter Gloekler. Her years at St. Rosalia left her with the brand of quiet, determined faith she would use to raise her family. Her upbringing in Greenfield instilled the same wanderlust that drew her parents on many trips around the globe -- trips she and her siblings would eagerly replicate years later. She was a force:  quiet, strong, witty, independent.’ Her eyes were kind, so deeply kind. They’re how she smiled. For 59 years, Jean and George built a family for whom support and love -- and lots of wit and laughter -- were a given. Grandchildren were a delight. Throughout their lives, holding hands and helping each other along in this world, navigating life so completely in sync you would swear their clothes were matching (sometimes they actually were). Grandma and Pop-pop:  They celebrated family. And they showed exactly how important family is by living it, embracing it, being it. Friends will be welcomed at LAUGHLIN MEMORIAL CHAPEL 222 Washington Road, Mount Lebanon FRIDAY 4-8pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Winifred Church, Saturday morning at 11 o’clock. Entombment Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Saint Winifred Church Food Bank, 550 Sleepy Hollow Road, Pgh. PA 15228.  www.laughlinfuneralhome.com

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