Shirley Kay Love
Shirley Kay Love, age 86, passed away Monday, February 20, 2023.
She was born in Lansing, MI on June 3, 1936, to Max and Leila (Wolfe) Gooch. She was the second youngest of five children. Her love of fishing started when she was a kid. The lake has always been her favorite place to be. She attended Eaton Rapids schools. Kay and John Martis were married in 1955 and had four children, Shari (Craig) Engle, Sandi Martis, Scott (Cathleen Johnson) Martis, and Shannon Martis. Kay and her second husband, Bill Love, were married for 25 years. They spent their time taking care of their lake house, fishing, hosting family get-togethers, and doting on their cat, Schnookums. Kay was a bus driver for Delton schools, a florist at Horrocks, and worked for the Mason and Charlotte Shopping Guide. She embodied her last name, Love. Everyone who met her loved her and felt loved by her. She was as sweet as they come, but she also wasn’t afraid to give a quick-witted quip when necessary. Her humor was sharp, clever, and endearing, and she had a natural, undeniable radiance and sparkle. She was always up for a card game, especially Skip Bo, Euchre, or poker. Stakes made it even more fun. Purple was her theme color, and she loved fashion. No outfit was complete without her hair being perfectly styled. And it was always perfect, even right after a cruise in her convertible. She was an expert thrift shopper and excitedly showed off the great deals that she found. She loved staying active by taking trips with her best friend Jo, fishing, golfing, bowling, and gardening. Flowers were a big part of her life, from designing bouquets as a florist to growing and tending to her own plants. She had a special love for her great grandchildren, Audrey and Braylon, and they have a special love for her. She taught them how to do watercolor paintings of flowers and cheered them on at their sports games. Kay will be greatly missed, but we know that she’s doing fine surrounded by her parents and siblings and flirting with cute cowboys in Heaven.
Kay is survived by her children, Shari (Craig) Engle of Ceresco, Sandi Martis of Benzonia, Scott (Cathleen Johnson) Martis of Charlotte, and Shannon Martis of Harrison; grandchildren, Dartanion (Sandra) Thomas of Petoskey, Jena Martis of Lansing, Richard Whitbeck of Charlotte, Jodi Martis of Lansing; step grandchildren, Avery Engle of Ceresco and Jackson and Cydne Johnson of Charlotte; great grandchildren, Audrey and Braylon of Charlotte and Treaden Gallert of Petoskey; sister, Mickey Schnepp of Lansing. She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Joyce Elston; brother, Larry Gooch; and sister, Sheila Gilpin.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 27, 2022, at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids chapel. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Monday. To share memories or leave online condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.