Jane Ellen Smith Martin

Jane Ellen Smith Martin was born February 9, 1944, in Montpelier, Idaho, to Mildred Hirschi Smith and Vernon W. Smith.  She is the oldest of four children, a brother, Roy, and sisters, Judy Ann, and Marilee.  At the time of her birth, Jane’s father had been severely injured in a plane crash in the Pacific Theatre during World War II.  Due to a miraculous vision of Jane before her birth, Vernon was given the courage needed to escape the burning plane.  During Vernon’s long recovery, the family lived in various Idaho locations, as well as being stationed in Tillamook, Oregon.  It is here that a family love of the Oregon Coast was born.  Jane shared this love, which is well preserved within Jane’s immediate and extended family to this day. 

Further education and employment opportunities for the family resulted in Jane living in several Idaho State communities during her early years.  These included Pocatello, Ashton, and Moscow.  It was during their time in Idaho that Jane’s brother, Roy, and sister, Judy Ann, were born. 

In 1951, when Jane was seven years old, the family moved to American Samoa, where her parents worked for the American Serviceman Schools system.  It was here that Jane learned to swim in the ocean, have recess on the beach, as well as begin to develop her own testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Jane was the first white child to be baptized in American Samoa.  This took place in an outdoor cement font, which had a crack in it.  To keep it full, a garden hose ran cold water continuously into the font. 

After returning to Pocatello, Idaho, where Jane’s youngest sister, Marilee, was born, the family moved to Germany in 1955. They lived for one year in Bremerhaven and four years in Nuremburg, where Jane’s parents again worked for the American Schools.  Jane enjoyed ice skating with Roy, biking to nearby towns, and traveling around Europe with her family.  One of her treasured possessions is a felt hat decorated with souvenir pins from her many European adventures. 

In 1960 when Jane was 16 years old, her family returned to the United States, moving to Springfield, Oregon, where she graduated from Springfield High School in 1962.  Jane attended Brigham Young University, where she majored in English Education.  It was during her second year there that she met Blaine Martin in an English Literature class.  Jane married Blaine Lawrence Martin on August 26, 1964, in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  They then returned to BYU, where they both graduated in 1967.  They moved for a brief time to Boise, Idaho, and then returned to Springfield, Oregon, for the next 16 years where all of their children were born.

The family moved to Lacey, Washington, in 1984, where Jane continued to dedicate her life to her family, church, and community. She served faithfully in many callings in the Church throughout her life, including Primary president and Relief Society president.  Jane and Blaine served a mission together from 2010 to 2011 in the Florida, Ft. Lauderdale Mission.  Upon their return to Lacey, they devoted their time to serving as Seattle Temple workers until Blaine’s death in 2018.

Jane was a dedicated student who loved learning. She enjoyed good literature and participated in a several book groups throughout her life.  She could always be depended on to share her recommendations for good books.  She also enjoyed travel and gardening.  She was a long-time member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.

Due to declining health, Jane moved to assisted living in Heber City, Utah, in 2022.  She passed away on July 11, 2024, in Heber City due to a stroke.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Blaine, and her parents, Vernon and Mildred Smith.  She is survived by her brother, Roy Smith (Tamie); and sisters, Judy Ann Cromar (Richard) and Marilee Wing (Kent); as well as her six children. Elise Martin Clark (Gary), Todd B. Martin (Ricki), Jared S. Martin (Erika), Adrianne Martin Crockett (Don), Kyle J. Martin (Anjuli), and Sarah Martin Christensen (Tom). She is also the proud grandmother of 29 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the residents and staff at Spring Gardens Assisted Living as well as those at Rocky Mountain Care Center in Heber City.  We also express gratitude to the members of the Spring Gardens LDS Branch and the Rocky Mountain Care LDS Branch for their dedicated love and service to Jane. In addition, we are especially grateful for the compassionate care provided by the Enhabit Hospice team in Heber City.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at the Nisqually Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 9341 4th Ave. NE, Olympia, WA 98516.  The viewing will begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 10:30 a.m.  Interment will follow at Masonic Memorial Park, 455 North St SE, Tumwater, WA 98501.

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