Shirley Martin
Born on June 20, 1936, Shirley was the fifth child of George and Addie Mae Richmond, of Ekalaka, Montana. She lived on several farms and ranches in Carter County during her childhood. Growing up in conditions we would find difficult today, she blossomed and experienced a rich and memorable rural life. After a divorce, her mother married Leonard Mumedy. He was a wonderful father to her.
In high school, she lettered in basketball and found her passion for learning. In 1954, she and her parents headed to Missoula, Mont., to enroll her in the University of Montana. These four years became one of the most formative times of her life.
While working on her major in English literature, she met a former sailor from Pennsylvania, Herbert Martin. After a romance involving many trips to Ekalaka to introduce Herb to the joys of farm life, they married on September 28, 1958.
Shirley and Herb then embarked on their life together moving to Bremerton, Washington. Shortly after having her first child Brad in 1962, they moved back to Montana for Herb's job in Great Falls with the Social Security Administration. Her second child Mylene was born in 1964.
After four years they moved to Glasgow, Montana. Shirley worked as an English teacher at the Glasgow High School for several years. She left teaching and focused all her energy on being a loving and supportive mom. Shirley had her third child, Kylene in 1967.
Shirley and Herb were active in the local bowling leagues and the vibrant life of Glasgow. Shirley kept busy supporting her children in school activities, sports, Scouting and summer family vacations to Ekalaka and Hummelstown, Pennsylvania.
After Brad and Mylene had moved on, she returned to her passion for literature by working at the Glasgow Library. When Herb passed away in 2007, Shirley moved to Missoula, Montana, where she and Herb had such wonderful experiences and memories. In Missoula, she enjoyed attending every Griz basketball and football game she could. She enrolled in numerous courses at the University to continue her passion for learning. Her greatest joys came when she got to meet her grandchildren who were so precious to her.
When her health began to decline in 2023, she moved to a retirement home in Lacey, Washington, near Mylene. Sadly, she passed away in her sleep on Thursday, November 20, 2025. She lived a rich life full of memories beyond measure and left a beautiful legacy in her children and grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Herb; father George Richmond; Father Leonard Mumedy; Mother Addie Mae Mumedy; brother Laurence Richmond; brother Melvin Mumedy; sisters: Aggie Livingston, Louise Ney and Mary Gunlock; and granddaughter Amanda Martin.
She is survived by her son, Brad (Sherryl) Martin, of Helena, Montana; daughter, Mylene (Joe) Moorad, of Olympia, Washinton; daughter, Kylene (Jerry) Means, of Searcy, Arkansas; and grandchildren: Samuel (Lona) Martin, Jonah Martin, Kyle Means, Michael Moorad, Kellan Moorad, Kayla Means and Addie Moorad.
A celebration of her life is planned for Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Bell Mortuary in Glasgow, Montana and inurnment will follow in Highland Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Elk’s. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be given in Shirley’s name to the VFW, animal shelter or ASPCA of the donor’s choice or the University of Montana. Online condolences may be left for the family at bellmortuarymt.com.
