Margaret Ann Montero Martin

1937–2009

Written by her daughter Mary Martin Lowe

Margaret Ann (as she was called by family and close friends) was guided by three convictions: First, she was a devoted and active Catholic. Second, she was dedicated to her family. Lastly, she was a passionate advocate of education, especially Catholic education.

When my mother graduated from St. Vincent’s Institute in Donaldsonville, Louisiana in 1954 she looked forward to attending college with her friends. Her father, however, did not believe that women needed a college education, so she went to work at a local business instead. She never, however, stopped learning and would forever value education, particularly for women. She remained in the workforce until she married my father, James Dawson Martin, in 1962.

My mom credited her faith for carrying her through the most difficult times in her life: my sister, Ann’s death at age six in 1969, her own father’s death in 1970, and my father’s death in 1981. After my father passed away, she ensured that my brother, sister, and I were raised with her love and support, continued our Catholic education, and had the opportunity to attend college. Just six weeks before my father passed away, my mom had started a new full-time job. Her new position, in the Ascension Parish Clerk of Court’s Office, would be the first of many roles there. When she retired in 2004, she was serving as the Deputy Clerk of Court.

She fully supported all of my own educational pursuits and was so proud that she was able to attend my PhD Hooding Ceremony in 2007 while she was battling Ovarian cancer.

Grammie, as her grandchildren called her, loved being a grandmother to her six grandsons. She felt blessed that she lived to meet them, love them, and attend their Baptisms. We were all so happy to see her at the Baptism of her youngest grandson, Samuel Lowe, just five months before she passed away.

Thank you for showing me the meaning of dignity and grace, leading by example, and being a role model to all women and mothers. To this day, women tell me what an honor it was to know her. I feel the same and, with gratitude, make a donation to the SICP Tuition Assistance Program in her honor — a cause she would so fully support.