Obituary Of Martha “Marty†Friend
February 24, 1950 – September 22, 2020
Marty was born on February 24, 1950, to Leo and Jean Beckman in Evansville, Indiana. She studied to be a Special Education Clinician at Indiana State University, and later went on to help her husband John establish and flourish his accounting practice.
Marty was a bright light in this world, whose exuberant personality and generous heart was noticed by everyone around her. She was a loving mother to her three children, a wonderful big sister to her siblings, an adored grandmother, and a cherished friend to so many. She housed a number of exchange students and Evansville Otters baseball players, and always had an open door for those who needed it. Marty showed her caring nature by continuously providing a home full of life, especially around the holidays. Marty’s love didn’t stop with humans; she also had love to share with many dogs and birds throughout the years.
Marty’s passions included sailing and traveling, with fond times in Hawai’i,  the Virgin Islands, skiing adventures with John, and a recent trip to Maine with her girlfriends where her daily routine revolved around the fall foliage, discovering lighthouses, and indulging in lobster.
She loved playing the piano, was a talented painter, and spent hours reading and mastering her craft at crosswords and word games.
If Marty’s vocabulary didn’t dazzle a crowd, then her elegance and grace sure did. Always making time to socialize and support her friends, Marty loved to dress for an occasion where her style and charm invariably lit up a room.
Marty is survived by her husband of 36 years John Friend; her children Melinda (Steve) Pearce, Eric (Emily) Friend, and Lee Vida (Lee Jarvis); her grandchildren Peyton (Nate) Broadhurst, Ryan Magruder, Talula Friend, Sadie Friend, and Josephine Friend; her great-grandchild Aspen Broadhurst; her siblings Bob (Valerie) Beckman, Chuck (Cheri) Beckman, and Melody (Martin) Eastman; and many loving nieces and nephews.
Marty was preceded in death by her parents.
Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, September 25th at Sunset Funeral Home. A graveside service will take place outside at the Lakeside Pavilion Gazebo at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 26th at Sunset Memorial Park. The service will be standing with chairs reserved for immediate family and those unable to stand. Friends and Family can also visit from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Heart To Heart Hospice Of Evansville, Llc, an amazing organization that helped us through every step of this transition.
