ASHEVILLE - Martha Jean “Marty” Ballou, 90, passed away peacefully on the evening of April 20th, attended by loved ones. Marty was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Henry Warren “Hank” Ballou, and is survived by daughters Jane Ware of Asheville, Ann Bush (Karl) of IL, Mary Jean Bulis (Eric) of NJ, and Amy Smith (Tim) of NY, 4 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. Marty was born in Boston, MA on February 28, 1927 to Gertrude Phalen Caird and Alexander Winton Caird. She earned a degree in English at the University of Massachusetts, where she met Hank. After they married, Marty worked at the New York Times before devoting her time to the couple’s 4 daughters and homes in NY State, California, and Illinois as the family relocated for Hank’s career in Food Technology. Once the girls were teenagers, Marty opened The Olde Frankfort General Store in Illinois, which thrived. After retirement, Marty and Hank blissfully explored the country in their motorhome, and then settled in Henderson County, where they enjoyed friends and family, gardening, and volunteering for Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, and the Carl Sandburg Home. With Hank, Marty was an active member of English Chapel in Pisgah Forest. A private memorial will be held at a later date.

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