Ann Mary Martin

Funeral Mass: 11 a.m. Monday at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Keller. Interment: 2 p.m. in Shannon Rose Hill Cemetery in Fort Worth. Rosary: 2 p.m. Sunday at Shannon Rufe Snow Funeral Chapel, with visitation to follow until 4 p.m.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, Ann wished that memorials be made in the form of book donations to the Watauga Public Library or St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School.

Ann was born Nov. 17, 1941, in Wyandotte, Mich., the eldest child of Elmer August Kreft and Ann Mary Aiuto. A devout Catholic, Ann turned to the religious life following high school, professing her solemn vows as a member of the Adrian Dominican Sisters in Adrian, Mich. While there she earned a bachelor's degree from Siena Heights University and did graduate work in library science at Western Michigan University. She later taught at elementary schools in the Detroit area.

In 1970, after performing service to God as a sister for 12 years, Ann left the Adrian Dominican order to pursue other life opportunities. She continued to teach, including serving five years as principal of St. Suzanne School in Detroit. In 1977, she met and married the love of her life, James Martin. In 1981, following the birth of the couple's two daughters, the family moved from Michigan to Texas, settling in Watauga. From 1983 to 1988 Ann helped start the Watauga Public Library, becoming its first children's librarian.

In 1986 Ann moved to North Richland Hills, where she would spend the rest of her life. She was a librarian for many years in the Birdville Independent School District, first at Holiday Heights Elementary School and later at Richland High School. She retired in 2001, shortly before being diagnosed with breast cancer, a battle she fought bravely for nine years.

Of all her endeavors, Ann said that her favorite was being a wife, mother and Omanona to three beautiful grandsons.

Survivors: Her loving husband of 33 years, James; brother, Gus Kreft of Trenton, Mich.; daughters, Angela McCulley and husband, Doug, of Coppell and Lori Rodriguez and husband, Erik, of Irving; grandsons Lucas, Alex and Austin; and sister, Gloria of South Carolina.

Arrangements under the direction of Shannon Rufe Snow Drive Funeral Chapel, Fort Worth, TX.