Mary Lou Martin

Vibrant, high-spirited and happy, Mary Lou Longcoy Martin died on September 8, 2025 at Kentridge Assisted Living.

She was born on October 30, 1931 and was raised in Kent. Mary Lou graduated from Kent State High School, and met her future husband John Martin while they were both students at Kent State University. They were married in 1952.

In her youth Mary Lou worked at the Longcoy Market on South Water Street in Kent, owned and operated by her father and grandfather. She also spent some later time working as a car hop at the Short Stop Drive-in on West Main Street in Kent, a classic 1950’s drive-in!

But the majority of Mary Lou’s career was as a full-time dispatcher with the Kent Police Department, including during the volatile time of the student unrest around May 4, 1970. The voice heard on the police radios in some of the newsreels and documentaries about the riots is that of Mary Lou. In a more playful turn during her working years at the Police Department she would sometimes turn heads riding her motorcycle back and forth to work in dispatcher uniform and badge. Mary Lou retired from the Police Department after 30 years of service.

Even as a working mom, she was engaged in numerous hobbies over the years, including the sports and activities of her kids. She was an accomplished seamstress, sang for many years with the Sweet Adelines, and was active for even more years in bowling leagues at Kent Lanes. Mary Lou also worked in stained glass, making lampshades and windows for family and friends. Post retirement, she and husband John spent summers employed at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, living in their motorhome on the park grounds, then returning to Kent in the fall. During the part of the year they were in Kent, they volunteered with their church, the Newman Center in Kent, and also were active in a local hiking club. Additionally, Mary Lou was a talented stitcher, completing many elaborate cross stitch pictures which earned her numerous blue ribbons at the Portage County Fair. And she volunteered weekly at Robinson Memorial Hospital, now University Hospitals Portage Medical Center for more than 30 years.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by parents, Zula and David B. Longcoy, and by husband, John in 2005. She was the outspoken mom to sons, Timothy (Dennis McClarren) Martin of Hartville, Douglas (Ana) Martin, John (Michelle) Martin, and daughter, Kathleen (James) DeLeone, all of Kent. Mary Lou is a grandmother, great-grandmother, and recently a great-great-grandmother. She is also survived by sister, Jean Longcoy Jacobs of Aurora and other extended family.

Calling hours will be held 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240. Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory with Fr. William Wainio officiating. Burial will follow at Standing Rock Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the staff and friends at Kentridge for their dedicated support and engagement during Mary Lou’s several years in residence there. She thoroughly enjoyed her time at Kentridge. Additionally, the family thanks Traditions Hospice for their comprehensive care for Mary Lou and her family during the final weeks of her life.

Services in care of Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 West Main Street, Kent, OH 44240.