Barbara J. Martin

December 2, 1944 - November 3, 2020

Barbara J Martin, age 75, passed away on November 3, 2020 in Crown Point, Indiana. Barbara grew up in Gary, Indiana and was a graduate of Bishop Noll High School, class of 1962. She attended University of St. Francis in Joliet, IL where she earned her Degree in Education and further continued her education at Northern Illinois University earning her MBA. She started her career in Gary as a teacher at Horace Mann High School where she became one of the first female athletic directors in Indiana. She moved to Chicago and worked at Marshall Fields for a short time. She later returned to her true calling in education and taught at Roberto Clemente Community Academy for over 20 years. She was a well-respected and winning coach of varsity softball and football. During her coaching career, she became the only female football coach in the state of Illinois. She was a strong advocate and mentor for her students, but to many of them “they simply called her Mom.” She retired to Oxford, MS where she continued her love of teaching by becoming a substitute teacher for the Lafayette County School District. She also attended Ole Miss University where she audited classes. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents- Joseph and Anna Martin and sister- Dolores (Ronald) Tonetski. She is survived by her brother-Richard (Susan) Martin, 6 nieces and 1 nephew. She also had several great and (great-great) nieces and nephews and many beloved cousins. Private funeral arrangements entrusted to Burns Funeral Home, Crown Point. A celebration of life will be held at a future date.