Jessica Martin

She lived with the quiet strength of Kintsugi - the Japanese term meaning ”golden joinery.” This practice refers to the art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer mixed with gold, silver or platinum powder. Rather than hiding the cracks, kintsugi honors the imperfections, recognizing that the honoring the fractures are not flaws to erase, but a part of a life’s story. Through hardship, loss, joy and renewal, Jess’ life was marked not by perfection, but by resilience, grace and the beauty of having been shaped by experience.

Jessica Lynn Martin was born January 25, 1988 in Madison, WI in the middle of a blizzard. She was wicked smart, deeply empathetic, wildly creative and had an acute and discerning eye for design and order. Everything that Jess did was at a higher intensity than everyone else; the way she felt love and passion but also pain; her love for her children and family; the compassion and support she selflessly gave to her community; her ability to digest situations and infer meaning; her ability to truly see people, and trust unconditionally.

Jess overcame many obstacles and challenges in life, growing from each one and impacting everyone around her, sometimes more subtly than others, but always with compassion and support, and often a quick, witty one-liner.

Jess was the calm; she was the storm. She had many fracture lines that were not hidden, but made luminous in her growth and love. They mattered. Jess mattered. And in the end, she was able to donate several of her organs, granting life and hope where there was once despair. A final act of generosity so typical to Jess.

Jess is survived by her husband Todd Milykovic, her beloved children Jayden and Sienna, her parents Suzanne and Dick Martin, her sister Kari Martin and hundreds, if not thousands, of relatives, family members and friends from all walks of life.

Jess will be remembered for her artistic sensibilities, her quick tongue, her steady support and her great heart. It is up to us to remember that the crack in our hearts left by Jess’ early departure won’t disappear, but it will become something we honor and learn to hold.

A Memorial Mass will be held at ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 602 Everglade Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 26, 2026. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, June 26, 2026 from 2:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the RYAN LEGACY CENTER, 6728 Mader Drive, Madison.

In lieu of flowers to honor Jess’ legacy, please support Jayden and Sienna’s education fund.

Ryan Funeral Service & Legacy Center
6728 Mader Drive
608-274-1000