Martha J Ribbens

Martha Jay (Grandy) Ribbens, 63, of Belding and formerly of Ithaca passed away peacefully at home Tuesday, February 16, 2021. She bravely fought ovarian cancer for longer than her prognosis and was being lovingly cared for by her husband, Bill and special Spectrum Hospice RN, Mandy. She is grateful for all the wonderful caregivers and Dr. Seamon at the Lemmen Holton Cancer Center where they awarded her "patient of the year" and she got to throw out the first puck at a Griffins hockey game.

She was born the second to last child to the late R L and Lenna (Merchant) Grandy in Carson City on June 11, 1957. She graduated Ithaca High School, class of 1976 and later earned an associate's degree at Davenport Business College.
On 5/5/05 at 5:05 in Fife Lake she married her last true love, Bill. It was the year he turned 55 and they made 5 their favorite number almost daily reminding each other when it was "5:05 and I love you".

She worked all her life. Her last employment was for 20 years at MSU as a Management Analyst within the Statewide Campus System with the title "Assistant Director of Program Accreditation and Trainee Certification" for more than 40 hospitals and 1400 resident physicians across the state.
She loved to garden and grew flowers from seeds in her purple barn and greenhouse. She loved being a member of the Belding Gardeneers and the Crazy Quilters and Crafters. She was very talented and creative, always working on a project, sewing or crafting something for someone. And she made the best carrot cake for Bill's euchre palace buddies.

She is survived by her husband Bill Ribbens and all her siblings; Judy (Phil) d. Cameron of Ithaca, Ronald aka. Larry (Shirley) Grandy of Hemlock, Melvin (Kathy) Grandy of Kalkaska, Joan (John) Roomsburg of Florida, Tim (Rhonda) Grandy of Sanford, and Mary (Donny) Klapperich of Minnesota. Also surviving her are her sons; Brent (Judith) Lott of Macomb, Benjamin Lott of Middleton, Will (Kristi) Ribbens of Redford, Dan (Nicole) Ribbens of E. Grand Rapids, and daughter Rose Ribbens (Mike Worst) of Rockford. She will be lovingly remembered by her grandchildren Kyle Lott, Alex Lott, Arthur Ribbens Worst, and Louis Ribbens. Martha was preceded in death by her parents.

According to Martha's wishes, no funeral or memorial service is planned. Cremation has taken place. She left her husband, Bill with lots of flowers so send flowers to a local health care facility or donate in Martha's honor to The B Foundation or your favorite charity. Envelopes will be available at Johnson-Feuerstein Funeral Home 203 S. Pleasant St. Belding, MI 48809 you can send donations to the funeral home, make checks payable to the charity and we will forward them on.
 

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