Sister Mary Martens

MARTENS, SISTER MARY, OP formerly Sister Mary Alphonsus Grand Rapids (born in Allegan) Died May 12, 2012. She was 87 years old and a Dominican Sister for 60 years. Sr. Mary graduated from Mount Mercy Academy at the age of 16, as valedictorian of her class. After graduating from Aquinas College she taught at Catholic high schools in Grand Rapids, Alpena and Saginaw. Sr. Mary earned a master's degree in math from University of Notre Dame and a Ph.D. in math from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. She taught in the mathematics department at Aquinas College, becoming chairperson of the department. Upon completion of this phase of her life, Mary enrolled in the school of law at St. Louis University and earned the J.D. degree. After interning in the State of Louisiana and learning the intricacies of the Napoleonic Code of Law, she began her legal career with services to the poor in Monroe and continued in Lafayette in the Acadian district. She became expert in providing legal counsel and defense to the poor and often illiterate. Many letters of gratitude for her generous and excellent work pay tribute to her skills and insights as a lawyer and a woman of compassion, especially for the poorest among us who could not ordinarily afford legal advice. Declining health led Sr. Mary to resign from her legal position. Her broad interests included novels, plays, movies, and travel. Sister Mary is survived by many friends and loving members of her Dominican community. Sister Mary will repose at Dominican Chapel/ Marywood at 2025 East Fulton Street with visitation on Tuesday May 15 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. The Remembering Service will be on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. at Dominican Chapel/ Marywood, 2025 East Fulton Street. A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16 at Dominican Chapel/Marywood. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials in Sister Mary Marten's name may be made to the Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters Health Care Fund.