Kathy Lynn Kalanj-Martin

Kathy Kalanj-Martin, 67, of Portage, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2026, surrounded by family.

Kathy was born on December 8, 1958. The youngest daughter of Frank and Barbara (Terrell) Kalanj, Kathy grew up in Paw Paw, MI with her two sisters, Kim (Tom) Palenick and Karen (Chuck) Klett, both of Paw Paw.

On May 4, 1996, Kathy married Jonathan Martin. Through their marriage, Kathy became step-mother to his children, Maj-Britt (Eric) Holmes, Amber (Andy) Jones, Alex Martin, and Nathaniel Roberts. Kathy and Jon were blessed with many grandchildren: Erica, Austin, and Madison Holmes; Pierce Card; Annie, Payson, and Whitaker Jones; River, Willow, and Lila Roberts.

Kathy also leaves behind a brother-in-law, Shane (Heidi) Neel, and several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, close friends, and many children who called her Aunt Kathy.

A natural caregiver, Kathy enjoyed a long career in early childhood education with Paw Paw Public Schools. She guided an entire generation of children through their pre-school years during her time at The Learning Tree, which later became Paw Paw Early Education. After retiring from PPPS, she and Jon moved to Broken Arrow, OK where she continued working with children in local childcare centers. Upon their relocation back to Michigan, Kathy made the decision to try something new and different, leading her to join the workforce of Parker Hannifin until her retirement.

Family meant everything to Kathy. She loved to cook and entertain, always having a dish to share from her kitchen at every gathering. She was creative, filling her hobbies with puzzles, sewing, scrap booking, and leading crafts with the children in her life.

Kathy believed in leading through acts of God. She was a devoted member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Paw Paw, where she attended mass with her family. Alongside her husband, Kathy completed community works at the Valley Family Church in Portage, by volunteering in their food bank program, thrift store, and youth ministries.

Kathy was loved by all who knew her and will be most remembered for her kind and peaceful nature and her strong faith. She loved to laugh and make sure those around her knew they were loved without judgement. Leading up to her death, Kathy’s faith never wavered and her family takes comfort knowing that she is in Heaven with Jesus and her family that has gone before her, including her parents, aunts, uncles, and many special friends.

Please join us to share a memory of Kathy and honor a life well-lived.

The family will receive visitors on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Home, 502 W. Michigan Ave, Paw Paw, MI 49079. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 11:20 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 209 S. Brown St. Paw Paw, MI 49079.

Memorial contributions may be made to Centrica Care Navigators, 7100 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49009 or St. Mary Catholic School, 508 E. Paw Paw Street, Paw Paw, MI 49079.