Martha J. Hoyt

Martha Joan Hoyt of New Lenox and Joliet, IL passed away on September 26, 2022 at age 84. Martha, also known as “Mirt” by her friends and family, was born on February 22, 1938, in Downers Grove, IL, to John and Margaret (Fischer) Hoyt.

Martha attended ten different schools while her family farmed, ultimately graduating from Lincoln-Way Central High School in 1955 as the high school’s inaugural graduation class. After graduation, Martha stepped into her role as a data processor at Silver Cross Hospital where she worked for 42 years. As a loyal and dependable employee, she earned special recognition by the President of Silver Cross in 2006.

In addition to her loving parents, Martha was preceded in death by her brother, Harold, and brother-in-laws, Wallace Faulk and Fred Andrews. She is survived by four sisters, Frances (Don) Cappel, Mary Faulk, Sally Leonard, Ruth Andrews; four brothers, William (Betty), Richard, Robert (Barbara), Wayne; and sister-in-law Teri Hoyt. Aside from sister to nine siblings, she was Aunt Mirt to over 40 nieces, nephews, and their spouses, plus lots of great nieces and nephews – 49 at last count.

Martha never neglected to remember a birthday, joyfully sharing handwritten cards and special gifts to her nieces and nephews. Her memory was unmatched: reciting dates and times of family members’ births, stories from her late brother Harold’s Ranch Frosty’s, every address in which she resided, and the full roster of the White Sox (from the past 80 years).

Which brings us to her passion for the Chicago White Sox: never did she miss a game on TV, or the chance to talk smack with her Chicago Cub fan nieces and nephews. Martha was also a social member of the Joliet Moose Club for 32 years; she would often buy raffles tickets for the youngest generation, and they loved receiving an envelope with their winnings! She enjoyed bowling and traveling, especially her trips to Hawaii, Las Vegas, and California to visit her youngest brother.

A celebration of Martha’s life will be held on Friday, September 30, at Kurtz Funeral Home, 102 E. Francis Rd. in New Lenox. Visitation is at noon, followed by a memorial service at 1:00 pm. Interment will be at Mt. Vernon Cemetery in Lemont