Michele Lieber Martz

Fullerton, CA — Michele Susan Martz (née Lieber), 64, died peacefully in her sleep Friday October 25, 2024, at her residence in Fullerton, CA following a hard fought battle with metastatic breast cancer.

She is survived by her husband J. Graydon Martz, sons Trent Lieber and Stephen Martz, granddaughters Lilly and Annika Lieber and Quinn and Claire Martz, her father Richard M. Lieber, and siblings, Stephanie Johnson, Jean Lieber, Gretchen Zent, Anne Middleton, Eric Lieber and Matthew Lieber, sixteen nieces and nephews and many close friends.

Born October 20 1960, the daughter of Richard M. Lieber and Edith Jean Lieber (née) Tackett, she enjoyed a worldly childhood having lived and traveled extensively with her family throughout Pakistan, India, South Korea and China. Her American residence include Illinois, Colorado and finally California and her endearing nature earned her friends throughout the world.

Michele received her education at Downers Grove High School followed by a B.A. in Education and a teaching certificate from California State University Long Beach. After graduation, she taught elementary School at Carden Conservatory where her talents and dedication to her students advanced her to the position of Principal of the Academy.

She was a passionate teacher, beloved by many students. She was excellent with children and loved being a guiding figure for them as evidenced by her many enduring relationships with her students. She was a compassionate humanitarian, dedicating significant time, energy and travel to helping orphans of AIDS victims receive an education in Uganda. She and her father, Richard, founded the non-profit organization Reach Out Students for Education (ROSE) which provided tuition, school uniforms and hot meals to thousands of Ugandan orphans over the many years.

Michele was best known as ‘Mimi’ or ‘Mickey’ by her loved ones. It was well known that she loved to shop and treat her nieces, nephews, and grandchildren whenever she had a visit. A visit from Aunt Mimi or Grandma was like Christmas come early! Michele will be terribly missed by all and will rest in peace in the family plot next to her mother, Edith, and nephew Jackson, in Hardin, Ill.

Funeral services will be held November 9, 10:00am at St. Norberts Church, Hardin, IL. Internment will be at the Catholic Cemetery in Hardin followed by a luncheon at the Lieber Family Farm, 568 Ponderosa Lane, Batchtown, Il. Memorial donations should be sent to: Reach Out Students for Education, 527 N. Lincoln Ave. Fullerton, CA.