Mrs. Martha Hunter Coakley

Martha "Marty" Hunter Coakley, 83 years of age and long time resident of Grosse Ile, recently of Dearborn, Michigan, went to her final rest on March 26, 2014 She was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to the late Frank and Barbara Altdoerffer on January 26, 1931. Marty graduated from Penn State University and received a Masters in Education degree from Oakland University. Marty married Richard "Dick" Hunter on September 25, 1954. He preceded her in death, passing away in 1990. Marty married David Coakley on August 19, 1995. Marty was a life-long teacher and spent twenty years educating kindergarteners for the Grosse Ile Public School system. She used her creativity and energy to show her students everything from learning the alphabet to how to make homemade applesauce. She loved children so much that after retiring from the public schools she became an entrepreneur, founding the latch-key child care service, Fun After School. Marty loved music her entire life, and participated in the Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church choir and the Grosse Ile Boars Head Festival for many years. One of her favorite pastimes was blasting the Messiah or the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on her stereo as loud as possible and singing along at the top of her lungs. In addition, she was an Elder and active member of the Grosse Ile Presbyterian church, a member for the Questers, the Grosse Ile Herb Society, and the Grosse Ile Historical Society. At the Historical Society she incorporated her love of children with her love of history and help founded the Junior Historians and coordinated the 4th grade Historical Tours on the Island. At home Marty's interests included gardening and collecting antiques. She was a warm, loving, and devoted mother who brought fun, energy and creativity to every family gathering. Marty had her children dress up in costumes on her wedding anniversary, put notes inside of sandwiches on April Fool's day, and decorated her home for every holiday. She served as a Cub Scout leader and a Room mother. Marty is survived by her family who loved her dearly. Her husband, David Coakley; her children Beth Tierney and son-in-law Mike Tierney; Jim Hunter and daughter-in–law Teri Hunter; Vicki Chabot and son-in-law Mike Chabot; and Steve Hunter and daughter-in-law Naomi Hunter; her sisters Mary Helms and Louise (Gary) Fleming; and her 10 grandchildren, Michael Tierney and wife Andrea; Meghan Massey and husband Mike; Ryan Tierney; Jace Hunter and wife Meg; Robby Hunter; Ally Hunter; Elizabeth Chabot; Matt Chabot; Devin Chabot; Sarah Hunter. In addition to her first husband Richard "Dick" Hunter, she was preceded in death by sister Ann Richards and brother Samuel Altdoerffer. A private family gathering will occur at the Martenson Funeral Home. A public Memorial Service will be held on June 8, 2014. For further information email gihunterfamily@gmail.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church Choir, 7925 Horsemill Road, Grosse Ile, Michigan 48138, or Arbor Hospice, 2366 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48103.