MARTHA DRESS BEAN

Martha Dress Bean, 74, Loving Wife, Mother, Grammy and ‘Gramcrackers’, passed away on February 22, 2026. 

Martha was born on August 18, 1951, in Canton, Illinois ; however, she moved to Big Stone Gap, Virginia, when she was nine years old and considered that home. She graduated from Powell Valley High School in 1969 and attended East Tennessee State University for 2 years. She married her high school sweetheart, Stephen Bean, on September 9, 1972. 

They spent many years traveling due to Stephen’s job before settling in Hanover, PA, in 1989. 

Over the years, Martha worked in newspaper and retail, but her true passion was quilting. Martha was a talented and creative quilter who often used her skills to help others. During COVID-19, she sewed and donated masks, she made baby quilts for families of NICU patients, and her quilts can be found in the homes of many of her loved ones and friends. 

Martha’s greatest love was her family and friends. She was an active part of her children's and grandchildren’s lives and spent time with them frequently. Although she moved to many locations over the years with her husband, she always made close friends and kept in touch with them. She also had a soft spot for animals. In addition to two shelties and four cats, she took care of many outdoor cats and did her best to ensure they were healthy and spayed or neutered.

Martha is survived by her husband Stephen, daughter Hannah Ropp and her husband Brian of Macungie, PA, son Lucas Bean and wife Asha of Katy, TX, and grandsons Max Bean, Matthew Bean, Henry Ropp and granddaughter Gracie Ropp. 

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her honor to the York County ASPCA.

A Memorial Service will be held 11:00AM, on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the Kenworthy Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 269 Frederick Street, Hanover, PA, with Deacon Tom Aumen offciating. A visitation will be from 10:00-11:00AM at the funeral home. 

Memories and Condolences can be shared at www.kenworthyfh.com.