Marian Green Martin

She was born on March 8, 1934, in Blackfoot, Idaho, the second oldest of four daughters, to Douglas and Inez Green. Her parents and sisters, Donetta Rice, Geri Hall, and Diane Powell proceeded her in death.

Marian attended Blackfoot High School where she was a cheerleader, member of the band, on the high school newspaper staff, and a senior class representative.

Her mother’s love of reading instilled in her a love of books and in her home, the question wasn’t if you were attending college, but where? She chose Brigham Young University and received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education, English, and Speech and later earned a Master of Education Degree in English.

While pursuing her undergraduate degree she joined the debate team and traveled the country debating other universities and excelled to win regional and national tournaments. She fell in love with Dean Martin, a member of the debate team, and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 4, 1957. They moved to Brigham City, where they made life-long friends, “The Brigham City Bunch”. Dean bought a home, unbeknownst to Marian, in Salt Lake City where they lived until Dean’s passing in 2016.

Marian was a consummate teacher of English for 27 years – from remedial reading to AP English. Her students, many of whom attribute their later success in school to Marian, both respected her strictness and came to love her because they knew she cared. They called her “Mom Martin.” She drove her principals crazy with her stubborn insistence, recommendations, and requests as Chair of the English Department. She cherished her relationship with the students and fellow teachers at South High School, Olympus High School, Jordan High School, Alta High School, and the BYU-Salt Lake Center.

Marian was a world traveler and museum goer. She and Dean travelled extensively together and with their two daughters Liz and Sue, along with other close friends and family members.

After retirement, Marian kept busy giving tours of many of Salt Lake’s historic buildings, including the Beehive House, the Governor’s Mansion, and the Marmalade District. She was a member of Daria, Delta Kappa Gamma, and The Friends of the Library Board.

Despite her accomplishments, it was her relationships that mattered most. Children were long awaited, and Liz and Sue were cherished. They did everything together as a family. Marian tended grandchildren regularly and loved them enough to continually correct their grammar. Dean and Marian were generous with their time and resources and created cherished family memories. She has many treasured friends who enriched her life. She especially loved reading and discussing literature and poetry with family and friends and was part of a discussion group for over 50 years.

Marian was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and she treasured the doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She was a long-time member of the Colonial Hills 2nd Ward and attended the Wasatch Ward, Parley’s 5th Ward, and the Morningside Branch. She served faithfully in callings and assignments including Relief Society President, and many teaching positions.

Marian is survived by her two daughters, Liz Bradley (Paul) and Sue Anderson (Brian); six grandchildren; Lauren Neilson (Jon), Nick Anderson, Sarah Proctor (Andy), Scott Anderson (Susannah), Matt Bradley (Meg), and Jake Anderson (Claire) along with seven great-grandchildren who she cherished, George, Isaac, Ruth, Annie, Britta, Sam, and Dean.

A special thank you to the incredible staff at Spring Gardens Holladay. They treated Marian with love and dignity and their compassion will not be forgotten. As Marian would say, “Enjoy your youth!”

An evening viewing for Marian will be held Tuesday, July 15, 2025 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 S. Highland Drive, Millcreek, Utah 84106. A viewing will occur Wednesday, July 16, 2025 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 PM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1455 S 1700 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84108 with the funeral ​service following at 11AM. Interment at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.