Martha Jane Bishop

Martha Jane Bishop

Age 94, of Novi, passed away January 9, 2023. She was born on October 30, 1928 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; daughter of Joseph and Ada (Stock) Schmidt. She graduated from Schenley High School in Pittsburgh in 1945. Jane, as she was known by all who knew her, moved to Michigan in the early 1950’s. She resided in Redford for over 50 years before moving to Novi in 2005.

Jane worked as an operator for Western Union early in life; then transitioned to be a secretary for numerous car dealerships. Her last job as a secretary was with Naragon Business Machines, finally retiring in 2003.

Jane was a member of Wellspring Church, formerly known as Northwestern Baptist Church. Driven by her belief in our Lord and deep faith; she frequently attended Bible Study and was a strong prayer warrior.

Jane had a personality that made her trusted and loved by everyone she met. She had the gift of gab and was always ready to laugh and tell a story. She was considered the Bingo Queen by her family, but also loved playing pinochle or any other card game. She never missed watching the Wheel of Fortune. Jane had a wonderful personality and was generous, charitable, and loved music. She even became the “adopted mom” to a young lady from Germany who often spent hours talking with Jane at her home. Jane was a fun-loving, jovial, and compassionate mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend.

She is survived by her children, Jan (David) Boyd, Doug (Michelle) Bishop, and Greg (Jen) Bishop; her sister-in-law Loretta Schmidt; her grandchildren, Erin (Ryan) Amore, Michael Boyd, Andrew (Lauren) Bishop, Lauren (Ian) Burns, Abigail Bishop, and Sarah Bishop; and her great grandchildren, Lucas, Zachary, Declan, and Easton with 2 more she was eagerly anticipating. Jane was also survived and loved by many nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Marcella Schmidt, Fred Schmidt, Frank “Bud” Schmidt, her identical twin sister Joan O’Donnell, Donald Lieb, Jack Barrett, and Bobby Barrett; and her great grandchildren, Hudson and D.J.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 15, 2023 from 1pm until 6pm. A funeral service will be held Monday, January 16, 2023 at 11am with visitation beginning at 10 am at Casterline Funeral Home, 122 West Dunlap, Northville. She will be laid to rest after a private burial for immediate family at Glen Eden Memorial Park in Livonia.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to Operation Smile , 3641 Faculty Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23453 or Wounded Warrior Project , PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516.