Wilma Mae "Patsy" Martin

Wilma Mae “Patsy” Martin, 92, of Topeka, passed away March 15, 2010 at Stormont-Vail Hospital. Patsy was born June 15, 1917, in Millard, Missouri, to Harlow Albert and Cordelia Maude Pickard. She graduated from Kirksville High School and attended Kirksville State Teachers College, now Truman University in Kirksville ,Missouri, majoring in art.
Patsy was married for 72 years to James Otto “Speed” Martin. He survives. Patsy and Jim formerly lived in Topeka for 7 years as “Speed” was the Topeka City manager for the Fox Theaters, including the Grand, Fox and Jayhawk Theaters. Also surviving are sons David Earl Martin of Overland Park, KS, and Douglass Eugene (Kimberly) Martin of Kansas City, Missouri, and daughter Denise Elaine (Ron) Gum of Topeka. She is survived by a wonderful sister, Waneva Ross, of Pinole, California, plus was blessed with 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents and sister Wynona Lyons.
Patsy was quite active in her favorite things-family, art, church and community. As members of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Topeka, and First Presbyterian Church in Wichita, KS, she participated and helped lead many children and adult services. She was a Boy and Girl Scout leader (15 yrs.), delivered Meals On wheels (25 yrs.), and volunteered at Wichita’s Botanical Gardens (10 yrs.). As an active member of First Presbyterian Church, she supervised and expanded the Church’s Economy Corner Thrift Store (10 yrs.), and Junior Kindergarten programs. In her community, she was a member of the Lion’s Club Auxiliary and built with Habitat for Humanity for 15 yrs. When Pasty was unable to build, at 91, she attended and passed the city’s Food Handler Certification class in order to prepare meals for Habitat workers.
Memorial services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 19, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1275 SW Boswell, Topeka. Graveside services will be Saturday, March 20, at 2:00 at Gibbs Union Cemetery, outside of Gibbs, Missouri.
Memorial contributions in her name may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 525 North Broadway, Wichita, Kansas, 67214.