Martha Jean O'Leary

1928 - 2025

O'Leary, Martha Jean

November 9, 1928 - September 17, 2025

Martha (Marty) O'Leary of Webster Groves, Missouri, passed away peacefully on September 17th, 2025. She was 96 years young.

Born on November 9th, 1928, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to Paul and Anna Limbert, Marty grew up as a talkative, curious child exploring the Upper West Side of Manhattan and travelling through Europe with her parents and older sister Betty during the late 1930s. An artist by nature and temperament, Marty attended Stephens College in Missouri, where she majored in fashion illustration, and finished her degree at Washington University in St. Louis.

Marty outlived two husbands and raised seven children, serving as the matriarch for an extended family that includes 16 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A woman of boundless energy and the gift of gab, Marty loved life from early dawn into the late hours, entertaining friends, excelling as a very persuasive salesperson, getting a Master's Degree in Library and Information Science, gardening, playing bridge, and being very active in the many churches she experienced in her long life. In the latter part of her life she completed a quest to create an eclectic collection of artistic, hand-sewn quilts, one for each of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Marty is survived by Alison (McCoole), Luanne (Roger), Bill (Patty), Paul (Hedi), Beth, (Charlie), James (Andrea), Jason, and their extended families. The family would like to thank the amazing ZZ for bringing out Marty's unique beauty every day, and for the community of Bethesda Orchard.

Memorial service will take place on November 1st, at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Episcopal Church in Kirkwood, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Community Outreach Program of Grace Episcopal Church or the charity of your choice. Or, celebrate Marty by visiting a garden, baking a blueberry buckle, and giving someone you love a big smile and a hug.