6-14-2023 9:29am

Paige Martin passionately loved dancing, family, and traveling

Michael McGinnis Editor

Paige Ashleigh Martin (1991-2023)

Paige Ashleigh Martin, 32, of Columbia, Missouri, formerly of Roscoe, passed away on April 17, 2023 due to unforeseen medical complications. She is greatly missed by her partner, Zackary Hampton and their son, Felix Hampton; her parents, Harlan and Lynnette (Shores) Martin; sister, Justine (Martin) Eshleman; brother-in-law, Justin Eshleman; niece, Genevieve Eshleman; nephew, Ellison Eshleman; Lon Hampton and Laura Sternweis Hampton, and Annabeth Hampton, and her cats, Magnolia, Zola, and Yeti.

Paige graduated from Hononegah Community High School and University of Northern Iowa. She earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and actuarial science, and excelled in the fun of college. She was a lifelong, passionate dancer who felt the beat in her soul. Her love of dance was always there for her. Like the tattoo on her foot said, “If ever lost, dance home.” Paige also loved to travel. She was bitten by the travel bug when she went to Italy as a newly turned 18 year old, and then she explored South Africa her senior year of college where she discovered her love for elephants. Paige also had a serious and organized side. She was dedicated to her work as an analytics manager at Dealer Inspire and Cars.com in Chicago, Illinois for the last several years.

Family was very important to Paige. She loved spending time with her family whether it was laying out by the pool, or celebrating Martin holiday parties. She had a very close relationship with her parents, and valued their advice. She would call her dad to just say Hi, and she was always up for a shopping and antiquing haul with her mom. Paige was consistently a sounding board on big life questions as well as simple beauty and fashion tips for her sister, and she was always there ready to love, support, and play with her niece and nephew.

Paige and her partner of ten years, Zack, lived a life together full of love. From UNI where Zack approached her at the college library, to Illinois where they started their adult life, and finally to Missouri where they made their home. They enjoyed every moment of it. In their spare time they worked together with their creativity to complete DIY projects around the house, from knocking down walls, laying flooring, doing yard work and landscaping, to painting a mural in their future son’s room. They did it all together as a team. Paige and Zack enjoyed being outdoors and exploring. They took a trip to Alabama where they fell in love with Gulf Shores. They loved hosting their friends and family on their back deck with drinks, food, and usually a football game. Paige was able to recite college and professional football trades as fluently as Zack.

Paige and Zack’s most recent endeavor was parenthood. They welcomed their son, Felix, in January 2023. Paige was a wonderful mother who loved deeply and continuously throughout the first months of motherhood. Being Felix’s mother was her greatest life accomplishment. Paige’s beautiful spirit lives on in precious Felix, and her village of family and friends will be sure he knows the stories of his mom’s vibrant personality.

Per Paige’s wishes, there will be a Celebration of Life, Saturday, July 29, 2023, from 2-5 p.m. The celebration will be at the Martin Automatic Inc. Corporate House, 5635 Nebeshone Lane, Rockford, IL 61103. See the Events tab on her tribute web page for more information. Please share fond memories and pictures of Paige in the Tributes and Photos tab. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the GoFundMe link that will assist Zack with child care and necessities for Felix.

Celebration of Life
Date: Saturday, July 29, 2023
Location: 5635 Nebeshone Lane, Rockford, IL 61103
The Martin Automatic Inc. Corporate House
Time: 2-5pm

Please join us to celebrate Paige's beautiful life with family and friends in fellowship with light food and beverages.

*Please wear something yellow to shine for Paige, and bring a lawn chair to enjoy the back deck looking out at the Rock River.

Schedule:
2-3 p.m. Martin/Hampton family together
3 p.m. Speeches/shared memories
3:30-5 p.m. Open house