Gayle Briggs Martyn, 87, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at StoryPoint Senior Living in Chesterton, IN.
Gayle was born on January 15, 1939, to James Gaylen and Elsie Briggs. As the oldest of five children, she was raised on the family farm outside of Marshalltown, Iowa. She graduated as an RN from Methodist Kahler School of Nursing in Rochester, Minnesota, in 1960. Seeking a new adventure, she moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, and met the love of her life, Mike Martyn. They celebrated 55 years of marriage after being married in a Lutheran Chapel in Ann Arbor on August 26, 1967. They started their family in Detroit, raising children, Lynn and Matt, in Pittsford, New York, and then Troy, Michigan.
Gayle had a lifelong dedication to healing and helping people. She had a full and varied nursing career, also serving as a childbirth educator and finally, a healing touch practitioner. In an entrepreneurial shift, she also became a consultant for seasonal color analysis. Gayle infused all of her interactions with her offbeat sense of humor, childlike curiosity, and enthusiasm for connecting with people.
Gayle's pastimes included music, art, gardening, travel, and walks. Gayle very much had a green thumb, tending her vegetable garden, which Mike would till every spring, bringing the kids berry picking, and canning strawberry jam and pickled beets.
Gayle shared a love of music with Mike. Together they enjoyed their season tickets at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra concerts with friends. Gayle sang in the church choir and was adept at playing both the accordion and piano.
Throughout her life, Gayle was an influential role model for her children, demonstrating an unquenchable zest for learning new skills. Ever creative, one of Gayle's joys was participating in a watercolor painting course she organized at StoryPoint. Lynn and Matteo have framed several of her beautiful pieces in their home in Italy.
Gayle had a lifelong commitment to the Christian faith. She attended the Lutheran Church of the Master in Troy for decades. Becoming "born again" was a revelatory moment in her life and later a guide in surviving lung cancer for over 37 years.
Gayle was preceded in death by her husband, Mike; parents; brothers, Robert and John; and sister, Janet.
Gayle is survived by her children, Lynn Michelle Martyn and Matthew (Andrea) James Martyn; two beloved grandchildren, Matteo James and Russet James; sister, Debra (David) Patterson; sister-in-law, Susan Martyn; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Cremation has taken place with Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, La Porte.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Chesterton United Methodist Church, 424 S. 2nd Street, Chesterton, IN 46304.
If Gayle were signing off on this obituary, it would certainly be to wish you "love and blessings" as she closed all her messages and letters.
Condolences may be shared online at www.cutlercares.com.
