Martha Jane Sweet's Obituary
SWEET, Martha Jane, 90, of St Petersburg, Florida passed away on January 31, 2020.
Martha Jane Leight was born March 8, 1929 in Middletown, Ohio, a small town she often spoke of with fond memories. At 19, she visited her grandmother and aunt in St. Petersburg and met Jack Sweet in the Christ United Methodist church youth group, and he proposed before she went back to Ohio. They married in 1948 and he would become her husband of almost 55 years. Together, they raised four sons. Jack became general manager of Earl Small Growers while Martha Jane took care of their boys and home in her loving way. Later, they also adopted and raised two grandchildren.
Since Jack was a horticulturist, Martha Jane spent the majority of her life surrounded by plants and flowers, which she enjoyed very much. Jack was an orchid specialist and even patented and named an orchid “Martha Jane” after her.
Martha Jane was a gifted vocalist and accomplished musician, playing both the piano and organ. She enjoyed sharing her love of music with her family, and teaching them to sing and play. She spent many years involved with the Organ Club at Central Music. For a time, she even played in a three-piece band that performed in the area, including New Year’s Eve at the Tides Bath Club.
She always had a beautiful smile and great laugh. While known as elegant and proper, Martha Jane had a quick wit and often surprising sense of humor. She enjoyed cooking and baking, and gathering with her family was one of her favorite things to do. She loved making her family feel special, especially when celebrating birthdays and holidays together.
Martha Jane was a member of Christ United Methodist Church in downtown St. Petersburg for many years.
She had a group of lady friends they called “Club” that met together monthly from the time they all had their first children all the way through grandchildren. She was also an Avon Lady for a time and was very good at it, though her family often joked that she bought as much as she sold, mostly as gifts for her family.
Martha Jane eventually moved to Lake Seminole Square and enjoyed participating in activities and making friends there.
She is preceded by her loving husband, Jack Sweet and their oldest son, Stan Sweet, brother Robert D. Leight and parents Robert W. and Beatrice Leight.
Those left to cherish her memory include her sons, Doug Sweet (Jacqui), David Sweet, Tom Sweet (Michele); adopted grandchildren Tammy Brooks (Robert), Clint Sweet (Becky); grandchildren Carrie Sweet (Sam), Doug Sweet II (Corinne), Tina Sweet, Cristy Gonzalez (Peter) and Nathan Sweet; great-grandchildren Kristen, Rachel, Emma, Rowan, Callie, Phoebe, Fiona, Peter, Michael, Lucas and Tommy.
Visitation will be Wednesday, February 5th from 12:00 - 2:00pm at Memorial Park Funeral Home, followed by Celebration of Life starting at 2:00. Interment to follow at the same location.
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