Grace "Gigi" Corinne Martin

The world became a lovelier place on March 16, 1944 when Grace Corinne Martin was born in Red Bluff, California. Her family lived in the tiny town of Gerber, so the nearest hospital was in the bustling town of Red Bluff. She was the sixth of seven children born to Charles and Mae Martin. She is survived by her daughter Abigail Marsh (with children Isabella, Julia, Sophia, Josiah, Micah, Amelia), son Joshua Malpass (wife Melissa with children Kilian and Finley), sister Priscilla and husband Gerry Markgraf and sister Joanna and husband Mac McGarry. 

 

Grace always shared positive and tender memories of her childhood. She spoke of her father as a man of great integrity and humility. She remembers him rising early on Saturday mornings to cook breakfast for the whole family. The recollection of the sizzling eggs and buttered toast made her smile every time she told the story. On more rare occasions, she remembered her dad buying root beer from the store to pair with homemade ice cream and freshly picked watermelons. This dad with humble means knew how to make quite the treat for his children on a hot California evening with no air conditioning. Grace also remembered inheriting her love of language from her father. Even the simple act of pronunciation brought her joy. Saying the word "knife" as "ka-nife", for example, was spoken with such delight and articulation that one had no choice but to enjoy the moment with her.

 

Grace spoke of her mother with a similar reverence, knowing by that time what a critical job her mom had as a wife and mother to so many, in addition to being a pastor's wife. She spoke of her mother as "doing it all" and not quite knowing how she did. Grace admired that her mother never spoke ill of her dad, only at times shaking her head and saying, "Oh, Charlie." She remembered her mother rising early in the morning to read her Bible and their family reading a chapter together at the dinner table each evening. These habits established by her family became fond memories and ideals for her own family.

 

Grace liked to tell one story in particular of her childhood, one that involved a great amount of patience by both of her parents. At dinner one evening, things had become unusually tense and distressing as more cups than usual had toppled over at the table. The children all froze as Charlie slowly rose and, without a sound, strode away. While Charlie usually was gentle, was this the time that he might become angry and shout? Would one of the children be in trouble? A few moments later, Charlie returned and was fully adorned in rain gear: coat, hat, pants and galoshes. He quietly sat down and resumed his meal. The family all erupted in giggles. Now, if another glass were to topple over, at least Charlie would remain dry! What a beautiful memory showing how to love your family well.

 

After graduating high school, Grace went on to junior college and then to Chico State University to finish a degree in Occupational Therapy. She would work as an Occupational Therapist for the next fifty years and retire at the age of 72. She was an incredibly hard worker. I was privileged to enjoy working alongside her for a couple of summers, personally witnessing the love she had for her patients as well as the bagels and croissants she would smuggle in to nursing homes for them. Patients would frequently pull me aside and remind me that my mom was a special woman. They felt loved and seen by her. She had the gift of compassion and she understood the ministry of presence. 

 

Though Grace lived in California, she met John Malpass of Eugene, Oregon when they picked beans during the summer. She also knew him and his family from their regular attendance at Bible meetings held by their church. They soon married and welcomed two children into their family: Abigail in 1974 and Joshua in 1978. Unfortunately, their marriage did not last, but the legacy of a loving family was not entirely lost. Grace adventured into the life of single parenthood and loved her children with all of her heart, faithfully raising both Joshua and me to love the Lord. What a blessing it is to know that mom knew the greatest joy there is to experience: "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." 3 John 1:4.

 

Music was something Grace was passionate about and pursued throughout her life. She played the piano and sang regularly, keeping her baby grand piano in her home wherever she moved and playing it regularly. Some of my (Joshua) favorite memories of Grace are falling asleep at night while listening to her play the piano and sing. Grace loved to sing and joined the choir whether it was with her church or local community choir whenever she had extra time to do so. She always seemed to have a lot of joy in the Christmas season with the busyness of traveling to nursing homes, shopping malls and churches to perform with her choir. Grace also loved to move and skiing and cycling were a great physical outlet for her. She and John were members of a XC skiing club and trained all summer to stay in shape for skiing in the winter. After leaving Oregon for California, she spent more time downhill skiing as often as she could afford and bike riding near the beach on the weekends.

 

Grace decided to move back to her home state of California in 1987. Ora came to help ready the house and Grace talked up this adventure so much to her children that we were overwhelmed with excitement at the opportunity. We lived in San Dimas, CA for about three years when Grace decided she should sell her Oregon home (renting had gone terribly with less than average management) and work long hours to save up for a home of our own in California. She moved in with Priscilla and Gerry for one year to work and save funds. We bought a condominium home in Irvine and lived there for over ten years. When she received enough phone calls from her newly married daughter who was navigating first time mom-dom herself, she offered to relocate once again and be near me and my new family. Grace moved to Corvallis, Oregon in 2002. To this day, I tell people it's because of her devotion and love that Don and I were able to raise a large family. What a faithful and loving mother and grandmother she was. 

 

Grace learned she had colorectal cancer in December of 2024 and passed away one year later in her home in Grants Pass, Oregon. It was her wish to live out her days at home and never set foot in a nursing home. My brother and I are beyond grateful that the Lord allowed this to come to fruition. Joshua and his family came to spend precious time during her finals months and days. As Mom's neighbors, we also enjoyed sweet moments with her. She mentioned that the children popping in and out delighted her and gave her joy (even if just to ask if she might have treats to share). I delighted in getting home from work this past fall in time to pull open her front door, sit with her and watch the sunset for a few moments. The mercies of God are abundant. We live across from a large field with three beautiful horses, a white fence and rolling hills in the background. It's just like a postcard and it's our everyday view. Mom loved the beauty that God offered her and was eager to point it out to the rest of us. 

 

Mom, thank you for showing us the beautiful and the good in life. Thank you for showing us how to work hard and to never give up. Thank you for showing us how to love the Lord with all of your heart, and soul, and mind, and strength. Thank you for showing us what it looks like to minister through the simple act of showing up in person and staying a while. Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus to so many people who needed help. Thank you for showing us what it means to be a family and to put others ahead of yourself.

 

We love you with all of our hearts and we look forward to seeing you in heaven one day.

Thank you for being you.

 

 

 

Verses Grace was recently meditating on include:

 

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." 

James 1:5-8

 

"Let your moderation (consideration, gentleness, reasonableness) be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand (the judge is standing at the door). Be careful for nothing (do not be anxious), but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God, and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, will keep [guard] your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:5-7

 

"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments."

Habakkuk 3:17-19

 

"Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God."

Ephesians 5:19-21

 

"Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

Psalm 37:3-4

 

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

Proverbs 3:5-6

 

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength"

Isaiah 26:3-4

 

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

Corinthians 15:58

 

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

Ephesians 6:13

 

"And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."

Philippians 1:9-11