Maria Martinez Irby, known as Mari Irby in Jackson, was born in Madrid, Spain on October 30, 1955. She died on October 28, 2023 at the age of 67, in Oakland, Calif. No one who knew her will forget her warm heart and spirit of love and acceptance towards all.
Growing up in Aricebo, Puerto Rico, Mari went to high school at Colegio San Felipe. She then attended the University of Mississippi, earning her BA in liberal arts in 1977. At Ole Miss she joined Pi Phi sorority, became a Campus Favorite, and was selected Homecoming Queen.
A Master’s Degree in public relations from the University of Alabama in 1979 followed. Mari returned to Jackson, working in public relations at the Mississippi Welfare Department and later at the Mississippi Museum of Art. With former spouse, Charles Lyons Irby Sr., they had two sons whom they adored.
An avid reader, Mari was also interested in art, antiques and history. She enjoyed fine foods, as well as Puerto Rican merenguitos, a family favorite snack. She took joy in travel, especially to Spain. With jet black hair and dark shining eyes, she also had a sense of style. Her sister Marta recalls, “One of my favorite funny incidents about Mari was when on a trip with all of our family to Spain in 2003, a local taxi driver asked her if she was La Martirio, “a well-known Spanish singer in Spain. Mari was always so elegant and radiant! She even was confused with a local celebrity!”
Well suited to public relations, Mari resumed her professional life, becoming Director of Public Relations for Mississippi Public Broadcasting. Publicizing the series Downton Abbey was a highlight, as she loved the costumes, decor and architecture of the period. In 2021, she retired, returning to her hometown of Aricebo to care for her ailing parents.
She is survived by sons, Charles Irby Jr. of Oakland, Calif. and Andrew Irby of Nashville, Tenn., as well as her parents, Hugo E. and Odalisa Martinez, brothers Hugo and Victor Martinez, and sister Marta Bravo. Sister Marta says, “Mari was the oldest—always concerned and willing to give us the best advice and guidance only a truly loving sister can do.”
She was a member of Highlands Presbyterian Church in Madison.
A Memorial Service will be held on November 19th, 2023 at 3:00 PM at Iglesia Presbiteriana La Travesía, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The family requests that any memorial gift donations be made to Mississippi Public Broadcasting Foundation.
