Jean Emily Marques-Martin

Jean Emily Marques-Martin of Charleston, South Carolina, 62, passed away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones, on October 9, 2023, after a long illness.

Born on March 2, 1961, in Amarillo, Texas, Jean was the daughter of Abilio Marques and Gilberta Smith.

Jean is survived by her husband of 26 years, Robert Martin of Charleston, South Carolina; her mother, Gilberta Smith of Denver, Colorado; her sister, Diane Felker and husband, Brent Felker, of Denver, Colorado; her sister, Debra Marques and husband, Adam Fields, of Asheville, North Carolina; her brother-in-law, James Martin and wife, Lisa, of Bethel, North Carolina; and many beloved relatives and friends.

Jean was predeceased by her father, Abilio Marques of Fremont, California and her brother, Robert Marques, of Denver, Colorado.

Jean attended the Lages School in Terceira, Azores, and graduated from Leslie University in Cambridge, Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services. Jean had a fulfilling career in hospital administration as a training specialist for Roper Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

During Operation Desert Shield, Jean held top secret clearance as a civilian computer operator for the Department of Space Command at the Pave Paws early warning radar installation at the US Otis Air Force base on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

While living in Boston, Jean volunteered at the New England Home for Little Wanderers, bringing her boundless energy, unconditional love and compassion to enrich the lives of orphaned children.

Jean taught dance and performed in summer stock theater on Cape Cod and was cast as a tango dancer in the motion picture “True Lies”. With a passion for yoga, in her spare time Jean (given her Sanskrit name “Nishala”) taught gentle yoga at St. Andrews Health Club, and the Bees Landing Recreation Center in Charleston, South Carolina.

A celebration of Jean’s life will be held at a future date.

The family would like to thank Viviant of Charleston Nursing Home and Amedysis Hospice for their care of Jean.

In recognition of Jean’s lifelong devotion to her beloved canine companions, memorial contributions may be made to the Charleston Animal Society (www.charlestonanimalsociety.org).

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.mcalister-smith.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414, (843) 722-8371.