Sr. Jean Joseph Martin, CSJ

Josephine Marie Martin was born in Oxford, Michigan on June 18, 1925, the daughter of John Martin and Margaret (Mersino) Martin. She was a member of St. Michael’s Parish in Pontiac, Michigan at the time of her entrance into the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph on January 2, 1944. She received the name Sister Jean Joseph at her reception on July 2, 1944. She pronounced first vows on July 2, 1946 and final vows on July 2, 1949. Sister Jean Joseph has two sisters, Rose Mary and Mary Louise who also joined the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1946 and 1950, respectively.

Sister Jean Joseph earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Nazareth College in August, 1964. She went on to receive a Master’s Degree in 1969 from the University of Detroit majoring in Counseling and Guidance. From 1949-1971 she worked at St. Francis Home for Boys in Detroit, Michigan teaching or prefecting, with two-year intervals teaching at St. Veronica School in Detroit and St. John’s School in Davison. For the next 25 years she taught in various schools throughout Michigan ending her teaching career at Our Lady Queen of Martyr’s School in Birmingham, Michigan.

Sister Jean Joseph came to Nazareth in 1993. She was asked to manage the Fontbonne Gift Shop, to assist in the Guild Office and to learn the bookkeeper’s job. After three years she became the bookkeeper for Nazareth House. In 2006 she retired and volunteered her time wherever her gifts and talents were needed. Her free time was spent enjoying her hobbies of reading, embroidering, crocheting, drawing and painting.

The beauty around her reminded her that “He is God and He is here, the signs are all around us.” May she now enjoy the company of all the Saints in the presence of God she so loved.