Margaret McIntyre Obituary

Margaret Taylor (Murch) McIntyre of Charlevoix, Michigan passed away on Wednesday, July 8th, 2026, surrounded by family, at Munson Hospital, Traverse City, at the age of 85.

Marti, as she was called, was born March 5, 1941, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Majorie (Ellis) Murch and Donald Murch. She married James McIntyre on April 17, 1965, and they celebrated almost 57 years of marriage together before he passed away March 5, 2022.

After graduating from high school, she attended University of Vermont and graduated with her nursing degree in 1963. She worked as a nurse in the Colorado State Mental Hospital after moving there on a whim with a friend. She met her future husband, Jim, at a Halloween party. They were married in Boston and spent the next 36 years moving around the country for Jim's job as a meteorologist. Their first stop was Norman, OK, followed by Indianapolis, IN, New Orleans, LO, Indianapolis, IN again, Sioux Falls, SD, West Lafayette, IN, their last move for the weather service was Gaylord, MI. Son, Brian James McIntyre, was born in New Orleans. Daughter, Dianne Taylor (McIntyre) Kettel, was born in Indianapolis. While in West Lafayette, Marti went back to work as a Home Health Care Visiting Nurse, a career that she found very satisfying, as she enjoyed treating the whole patient as well as working with their family. Shortly before retirement, they moved to Gaylord, Michigan, and after retirement to the Charlevoix, Michigan area in 2001.

She was active and adventurous throughout her life, enjoying skiing, tennis, hiking, Girl Scout reunions, sailing, and traveling. Jim and Marti traveled to Scotland together, and about a year before her death, she returned to Scotland with her family for an epic, multigenerational trip. Tenacity is a great way to describe how Marti lived her life, going on adventures to the very end. Jim and Marti had many dogs throughout the years, including the most recent, JoJo, who she would take to a local nursing home to visit residents and bring cheer. Marti also enjoyed a variety of artistic skills such as weaving, quilting, and knitting (especially personalized Christmas stockings for family members as they joined the McIntyre Clan by marriage or birth.). She and Jim traveled to John C. Campbell Folk School for many years where she explored other interests such as wood turning, drawing, and playing the recorder. Active in several guilds and groups, Marti had a beautiful circle of friends. She enjoyed sharing her hobbies with her children and grandchildren, passing on her love for creativity. Marti treasured her friends and family and had a rich sense of their love for her as well.

She will be lovingly remembered by her son and daughter, Brian (Michelle) McIntyre, Goodlettsville, TN, and Dianne Kettel, Howell, MI. Also surviving are four granddaughters, Sarah (Caleb) Warner, Ann Arbor, MI, Rebecca (Andy) Hoffman, Fenton, MI, Brannagh (David) Shirley, Goodlettsville, TN, Mackenzie McIntyre, Goodlettsville, TN; and two great-grandchildren, Margo (short for Margaret after her GG) and Drew Hoffman.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brother, Robert Murch.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday August 22nd, 2026 from 10 am-1pm at the Petoskey State Park beach pavilion. Marti loved being Up North, so feel free to stay after and enjoy beautiful Lake Michigan and the State Park.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Little Traverse Conservancy (https://landtrust.org). Marti and Jim were long-time supporters and enjoyed preserving northern Michigan's beauty.