On Sept. 9, Kathleen Ellen Martin, a brilliant, beautiful and beloved woman, passed peacefully from this life due to a respiratory illness. Kathleen was born Dec. 24, 1933, in Detroit to John and Marie Lyons. She was the eldest of seven children, and in what was the beginning of her life as a responsible, caring adult, cared for her younger siblings while both parents worked. She attended St. Benedict’s grade school and high school in Highland Park. After graduation from the University of Detroit in 1957, she came to work as an accountant at Touche, Ross, Bailey and Smart CPA’s.

Soon after beginning employment, Kathleen met Steve Martin, and the two began a 54-year marriage May 10, 1958. Kathleen and Steve have two children, Christopher J. Martin and Therese M. Frey, and three beloved grandchildren; Christiane Martin, Shelby and Logan Frey.

In 1977, Martin opened her own travel agency, The Travel Bag, in Burlingame. During this time, Kathleen became a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Burlingame Bank and Trust Company. In addition to her success in business, Kathleen was a founder of the Upper Peninsula League of the San Francisco Symphony Association, a knowledgeable gardener, a past president of Unit 21 of the ACBL at the Burlingame Bridge Center, and a talented bridge player of many years.

Kathleen leaves an extended family of brothers and sisters: Fr. James Lyons, Anne Marie Farley, Mary Ellen Alberts, John Lyons, Thomas Lyons, plus the late Philip Neri Lyons, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.