Mary Jeannette Facer Martin

Funeral service stream link - https://www.youtube.com/live/sljw4k-rgkA?feature=share

Mary Jeannette Facer Martin (“Jan”) beloved wife, sister, mother and grandmother passed away on July 1, 2023 of natural causes after a courageous and dignified battle with Alzheimer’s disease. 

Jan was born on July 25, 1938 in San Francisco, California.  She was born to righteous and loving parents Elden J. and Louise Facer and had five brothers and sisters: James, Wayne, Peggy, Marjory and Lois. Her family moved often when she was a child but ultimately settled in the Salt Lake Valley where she attended school and graduated from East High School in 1956.  

Jan married Lowell Summerhays in the Salt Lake Temple on June 7, 1956 and they had three children Gregory (Laurel), Lisa (Ed Powell) and John.  One of the great trials of Jan’s life occurred when John suddenly and unexpectedly died of sudden infant death syndrome when only 5 weeks old. During this early part of their marriage Lowell attended law school at the University of Utah and Jan was the Vice President of the University of Utah law wives.  

Lowell and Jan were divorced in 1965.  In April of 1966 Jan married Robert (“Bob”) Simonsen a widower with 4 living children: Leann (David Hansen), Tim C. (Robyn), Jennifer (Steve McGinty), and Christopher Robert.  Together Bob and Jan added another daughter Amy (Tim Dolbin).  This created a true “yours mine and ours” family that at one point had 5 teenage children living at home at the same time.  Jan and Bob plunged their hearts and souls into raising these 7 children in a crowded but generally happy situation and the children all grew to maturity and have lived happy and successful lives.

Bob and Jan divorced in 1994. On April 17, 1996 Jan married John Rogers Martin.  John and Jan lived happily together for the rest of Jan’s life and John lovingly cared for her through her Alzheimer’s disease and final decline.  

Jan was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints all the days of her life.  She loved the temple and always remembered and kept the sacred covenants she made there.  She held many church positions of responsibility and always discharged those responsibilities with faithfulness and love.  She taught her children gospel principles by precept and example throughout her life.  

Jan was a consummate homemaker.  She was a skilled home decorator, prize winning folk art painter, quilter and an outstanding cook.  Even though her home was always busy with active children and later grandchildren it was kept neat, organized and clean. She also worked hard to take care of herself by exercising, playing tennis, waterskiing, horseback riding and going on long walks.  Jan was also in demand as a print and runway model.  

Jan was a prolific reader especially later in life when she had more time.  During Covid Jan and John were restricted to their care center for more than a year and Jan read many outstanding books especially books related to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Reading greatly helped her endure that year of her life.  

Jan will be greatly missed but the family is grateful that she has moved on to a better place and that she did not have to suffer for many years with her Alzheimer’s disease.  The family also expresses its gratitude for all the caregivers at Cedarwood Care Center and Canyon Hospice for their loving care.

A funeral service will take place on Monday July 10, 2023 at 11:00 am at the Hidden Valley Third Ward Chapel located at 11755 South 2000 East (Highland Drive) in Sandy, Utah.  There will be a viewing prior to the service from 9:30 am to 10:30 am.