SURPRISE, AZ - Jana Sue (Kirk) Martin, 76, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2025 due to complications of Alzheimer's disease.

Jana was born on July 9, 1948 at Thompson's Maternity Home in Buckeye, Arizona to Borden and Evelyn Kirk. She was the fourth of four children. She married Danny Martin in 1966. They had two children, a daughter Charlotte (Schatzi) and a son, Beau.

Jana attended Arlington Elementary School, Buckeye High School, Glendale Community College and ASU West.

Jana worked for Beam Corp. in Buckeye, Bechtel and APS at Palo Verde nuclear generating station. Jana moved to Phoenix in 1983 and began pursuing her college degree in social work. She received her bachelor's degree from Glendale Community College then her master's degree from ASU West, at which time Jana began working for the State of Arizona as a caseworker for Child Protective Services in Globe, Arizona.

She was forced into early retirement in 2005 by a diagnosis of Alzheimer's and dementia. Jana bought a townhouse in Phoenix near her daughter. She joined Desert West Community Center where she took part in various exercise classes each day, tai chi being among her favorites. At home, she kept her radio station tuned to K-Love or Family Life Radio. Jana was among the youngest to belong to the Red Hat Society. She was a constant presence in her three grandchildren's lives, spending just as much time at their home as she did her own.

Jana is survived by her sister Marla Hazelton, brother James Kirk & wife Diane, daughter Michele Songer, daughter Charlotte Martin, son-in-law, Dale Benson, son Beau Martin & wife Carolyn, grandchildren, Holly Huerta and husband Isaac, Jacob Benson, Heidi Benson and Brandi Vester, great grandchildren, Elena Huerta and Yoselyn Medrano.

Jana was welcomed into heaven by her parents Borden & Evelyn Kirk, brother Robert Kirk and ex-husband, Danny Martin.

Celebration of Life will be held on June 28. 2025 at 10:30 am at Grace Fellowship Church, 6500 S Miller Rd, Buckeye, AZ

No Flowers Please. To honor Jana, donations can be made to fight Alzheimer's disease at Bright Focus Foundation https://donate.brightfocus.org