Marie-Therese was born in Sterpenich, Belgium and grew up, a proud Walloon, in Namur, Belgium. She was in her teens during WWII and recalled with great detail, an actual air raid she experienced while fleeing their home. During WWII she met an American Army soldier, Edward Martin. After the war was over, Edward came back to propose to Marie. Both of her parents approved and after they were married, they traveled back to America on the Queen Mary, and Marie quickly became an American citizen in 1947. They were married for 57 years.
Marie is preceded in death by her husband, Edward in 2004, her daughter Deanna (Harold) Hilty in 2016, and her grandson Brian Hilty in 2021. Marie was also preceded in death by three grown siblings in Belgium, two sisters, Raymonde and Evelyne also in their 90’s and one brother, Daniel in his late 80’s. Her mother died shortly before her 100th birthday. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews in Belgium.
Marie is survived by her son Philip (Debra) Martin, grandchildren Rachel (Josh) Wooley, David Martin, Michael Martin, Lisa (Chris) Williams, Bethany (Dalton) Peek and many great grandchildren.
Marie had many hobbies and excelled in gardening, she was, at one time, the President of the Hobart Garden Club. She was very involved in scouting and was the leader of Girl Scout Troop 300. She taught French as a substitute teacher and tutored French locally. She was an excellent bookkeeper and worked for many years at Indiana University Northwest in the Registrar’s Office.