Martha Lee Avery, 76, lovingly known as “Marty”, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, June 5, 2025, on hospice care, surrounded by the love of her husband, children, and sisters.
A memorial service celebrating Marty’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 21, 2025 at Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation Services, 1276 Tate Trail, Union City, MI with Pastor Dan Maurer officiating.
A gathering of family and friends will be held just before the service from 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m., also at the Lighthouse Saturday.
Marty was born May 13, 1949 to Daniel Boone and June Eloise (Temple) Wells. Raised in the suburbs of Detroit, she was a 1967 graduate of Seaholm High School in Birmingham, Michigan. Marty married Robert Foote in 1968. The couple spent their early years together in Royal Oak, later moving to Holland, Michigan in 1975, and eventually settling in Union City in the late 1970s.
Together, they raised two children, Aimee and Theodore. Though they eventually went their separate ways in 1984, they each continued forward on their own paths.
December 21, 1985, Marty married Jerry Avery. They built a life together in Union City and shared 22 years of marriage. Though their paths diverged for a time, their bond endured. In a beautiful full-circle moment, they found their way back to each other and were remarried on May 16, 2019.
Marty lived a full and joyful life, always focusing on the good in others. She had a generous heart—offering help whenever she could and opening her home to those in need. She left a lasting impact on everyone she met, from the children she sang to while driving the school bus (who came to adore her), to the many friends she made over the years playing Bunco, cards, singing with the Sweet Adelines, and playing pool in her billiards league.
Marty wore many hats with warmth and dedication: running the Chatterbox café alongside her husband Jerry, cooking at Union City Schools, and sharing laughter and memories with the close-knit crew at the Union City bus garage. She also drove truck with Jerry around the country, which helped them to save up the money needed to start the Chatter Box Cafe.
Marty brought light and laughter into every room she entered and every life she touched. She wanted us all to just learn to serve, love, and uplift each other.
Marty had deep faith and spirituality, and a profound appreciation for all of God’s creations. She found peace and connection in nature—especially in trees, which she loved for their strength, beauty, and quiet wisdom. Before she passed, she asked that those who loved her plant the seeds of trees as they travel through life, visiting those trees when they want to feel close to her. In this way, her memory will continue to grow and take root in the world around us.
Marty is survived by her loving husband, Jerry Avery; her children, Aimee (Doug) Cole of Michigan and Theodore Foote of Coldwater; and her stepchildren, whom she loved as her own: Colleen (Scott) Smith of Holland, Glen (Deb) Avery of Byron Center. She is also survived by her sisters, Elaine Lewis of South Carolina, Darlene Hickey of Coldwater, and Mary (Dan) Hannah of Union City; her sister-in-law, Sandy Wells of Anderson, IN; her cherished grandchildren: Zoie, Ronnie, Ben, Grace, Austin, Sondra, Cassandra, Jeremy, Jerod; and her great granddaughter Kiera, as well as several others. Her many nieces and nephews were also a major part of her life and she loved them dearly.
Marty was preceded in death by her loving parents; her siblings, Faith Supal, Wayne Wells, Ada Syracuse, Paul Wells, Frank Wells, Mark Wells, and Jack Wells; and her grandson, Steven Rynes.
Marty’s kindness, strength, and joy will be deeply missed—but her legacy lives on in all who were lucky enough to know her, and in the trees we plant in her honor.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Union City Senior Center, c/o Village of Union City, 101 S. Broadway Street, Union City, MI 49094. Please put “Marty Avery Memorial” on the memo line of your check.
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