Martha Claire Cleary

Martha Cleary was born on March 24, 1929 in Manhattan, Kansas, the daughter of Teresa (Allen) and Arthur Taylor, an executive with Skelly Oil.Many of her fondest memories began when her family moved to Evanston, Ill, where she attended Marywood Academy and made lifelong friendships. At 15 she met Bo Cleary (James E. Cleary, Jr) at a dance and he immediately set his cap on her. The two paired up and practiced their steps to the live music of big bands on the dance floors of Chicago’s ballrooms. For decades they delighted watchers with their jazzy, joyous jitterbug and Kansas City shuffle.While at Mundeline College, Martie worked at Marshall Fields Department Store as a trainee in their buying program and modeling hats, gloves and shoes for their clients. She graduated from Mundeline in 1948. In 1950 she and Bo married and began their life together in West Palm Beach where Bo’s pioneering family had established family businesses that would last generations.Dedicated to their family and Catholic faith, Martie and Bo raised five lively, independent children, Dan, Patty, Jim, Mary Ann and Tom. When the kids were grown, Martie expanded her horizons accepting the offer of a part-time position at the Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce. She was quickly recognized for her ability to organize, create alliances and promote the organization and its members. As Executive Director, she ran the Chamber for nearly 20 years. In retirement, Martie dedicated herself to caring for her expanding family, her friends, and the historic home where she lived for nearly seventy years.Martha was a longtime member and volunteer at St Ann Catholic Church.She will be remembered for her wise counsel, grace, humor and hospitality. She was known for her exacting standards. She had the gift of inspiring excellence and loving devotion from those who met them.Martha Cleary is survived by her five children, Dan (Peggy), Patty, Jim, Mary Ann and Tom (Debi); her grandchildren Jeni (Thiago), Taylor (Cody), Chris and Bo; her great grandchildren Bryce, James, Sienna and Brooks; and dozens of nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, James, her grandson Tommy (Codie), her sister Joanne and her brother Jack.