Obituaries

Anna Marie Martin passed away at her home of 46 years on January 27, 2025 at the age of 78 in Carrollton, Texas.  Anna was healthy and active to her last day, always busy.  She was beloved by her family and friends. 

Anna was born on August 6, 1946 to Emily (Markus) and John Faber in Chicago, Illinois.  She was the baby of the family.   Her siblings and cousins called her “Ann,” “Annie,” or “Sweet Annie.”   Her strength and strong will was evident from an early age and was something she exhibited throughout her life.  Anna and her family lived in the city when she was young.  During her early teen years, her parents separated.  Anna, her mother, and sister, Marge, established themselves closer to the suburbs.  Anna graduated from Mount Prospect High School in June of 1964.  Almost immediately upon graduation, Anna boldly struck out on her own, finding a job in secretarial work.

Anna was always optimistic and determined.  Her brother John remembers when she wanted to buy her first car.  John drove out to lend his knowledge, visiting a local Ford dealership.  There Anna test-drove a Mustang, not having driven before and without a license.  John remembers this as an “awakening” experience and where her siblings gave her the nickname “Parnelli Jones” (a race car driver).  When Anna wanted something, she knew what she wanted and went after it without hesitation.  She would later instill this immense drive in her daughters.    

In 1964, while visiting a friend, Anna met her husband, Craig Martin.  They later started dating and fell in love.  Anna and Craig married in Mount Prospect, Illinois, on May 17, 1969.  Anna always remembered it was a rainy day, but she took it as a sign of good luck.

Anna worked as a secretary and executive assistant in several industries including law, technology, and manufacturing.  One of the most interesting jobs was for Sperry UNIVAC working with the first commercial computers in the United States, where part of her role was to insert computer program punch cards to run business operations.

In the early 1970’s, Craig and Anna bought their first house in Crystal Lake, Illinois, where they welcomed their daughters, Lisa Marie born 1973, and Andrea Maree born 1976.  Anna devoted herself to being a full-time mom and wife.   

In 1978, Craig and Anna moved to Texas to pursue a new job opportunity for Craig.  Anna continued to work in secretarial and executive assistant roles for over 30 years.  Anna was known for getting things done.  She frequently said, “if you want to get something done, put it on the busiest desk,” and Anna’s desk was always the busiest and often where you would find the answer to most questions.  Anna retired from her corporate job in 2007.

When Lisa and Andrea got married, 2019 and 2001, respectively, Anna was particularly proud to watch her daughters marry extraordinary men.  She thoroughly enjoyed building deep relationships with her sons-in-law, Robert and Kenneth. 

In 2007, Anna and Craig were overjoyed when their granddaughter, Sophia Emily, was born.  You only had to spend a few minutes with Anna to know that Sophia was one of the greatest joys of her life.  Anna retired to stay home and take care of Sophia when she was a baby and toddler.  Anna’s influence on Sophia is evident as she has developed into a strong and intelligent young lady, just like her grandmother.      

Several years later, through Lisa’s marriage to Robert, Anna was blessed with three great-grandchildren.  “Little” Robert, as he is known in the family, absolutely adored Grandma Anna and he frequently expressed that she was one of his favorite people. 

Anna will be remembered as a loving wife, a devoted mother and grandmother, a caring sister and friend.  Her nieces and nephews hold a very special place in their heart for their “Auntie Ann.”  For her older nieces, she was a best friend to talk, go bar hopping, or travel with.  And for the younger nephews, someone who was always there for them.  Anna and Craig were second parents to most of their nieces and nephews.  

Anna poured her heart into taking care of Craig during his fight with cancer, being a solid rock of support for the entire family.  After Craig passed away in 2021, Anna made it a point to stay in contact with her family, talking to them weekly, if not daily.  She will be deeply and forever missed.

Anna was preceded in death by her husband, Craig Martin, and parents, Emily Markus and John Faber, and brother-in-law James “Jim” Anderson. She is survived by her great-aunt Bertha “Bert” Walker, her brother John Faber (Barbara), sister Cathy Haber (George), sister Margret “Marge” Anderson, daughter Lisa Martin-Alvarez (Robert), daughter Andrea Pfannstiel (Kenneth), grandchildren Sophia Pfannstiel, Brandon Alvarez (Rachel), Lindsey Perry, great-grandchildren Robert, Alice and Jackson Alvarez, as well as many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

A celebration of Anna’s life will be held at Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church in Richardson, Texas on Friday, March 14, 2025 at 3:30pm. The service will be livestreamed https://www.canyoncreekpres.org/watch-live