<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I think this proves I am a mess. I forgot to paste it in.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Martha Grace Kelly, age 90, passed away on November 12, 2024. She was snamed after her Grandmother Martha Dawes and was born December 8, 1933 in the Dawes family home in Yale, Oklahoma. Her family moved to Kansas at age 4 where she spent the remainder of her life. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>She is survived by two daughters and spouses Nancy and Roger Neighbors, Jackie and Mark Dwyer. Her grandchildren Aaron and Lisa Neighbors, Ryan and Ruth Neighbors, Ann Renee Kelly Neighbors, Brenna and Kelly Dwyer.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>She is also blessed with great-grandchildren Lily, Olive, Rowan, Patrick, Kian and Rosemary Grace. She is also survived by her niece Denise Templeton, nephew Jim Page, many cousins and countless friends.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Martha was preceded in death by her parents, Lutie and George Duncan, spouse Lloyd (Jack) Kelly, special friend Revelle Lee, sisters Bernice and Myrtle and niece Ann.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Martha began her education at South Park Elementary School and graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School in 1951. She entered the workforce at an early age, helping her mother with her laundry business, housecleaning, collecting walnuts for 5 cents per bucket, plucking chickens, and babysitting. After the death of her mother, Lutie, in 1949, Martha took on the responsibility of caring for her father and younger sister, Myrtle.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>In 1950, Martha met Jack while roller skating. They married in 1951. Martha worked for Sears, where she retrieved orders from the storeroom—though she wasn't quite brave enough to zoom around on roller skates like some of her coworkers. She also worked for Southwestern Bell, Gulf Oil, and finally Missouri National Life Insurance as a claims examiner. But beyond her professional roles, Martha was best known for her selfless devotion to others. She was a tireless caregiver, always putting the needs of those around her before her own.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Martha's service extended far beyond her family. She was an active member of the Eastern Star for over 50 years, serving as a Star Point Aide. She dedicated more than 70 years to the National Federation of the Blind, earning numerous service awards for her work. She was involved in several community organizations, including Christian Womens Fellowship, the Turner Golden Age Club, Fairbanks Morse Retirees Group, and Shawnee Mission Grief Group.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Her faith was also central to her life. Martha served for decades in ministry as a teacher, deacon, elder, and Christian Education Chairperson at Budd Park Christian Church, where she was a devoted member for 50 years. For the last 20 years, she volunteered at Hillcrest Christian Church, leading Sunday school classes and the “Keenagers” senior citizen group. Her commitment to serving others extended to her blood donations, achieving the remarkable milestone of a 5-gallon donor.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Martha’s unwavering love, patience, and compassion left a lasting impact on all who knew her. She is deeply missed by her family and friends, but we take comfort in knowing she has been welcomed with open arms by Christ<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>A celebration of Martha’s life will take place on Sunday, November 17 at Hillcrest Christian Church 11411 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Visitation at 2pm and funeral at 3pm with meal following the service. Internment on Monday, November 18, 2:30 pm at Floral Hills Cemetery, Kansas City, Missouri.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>In lieu of flowers, Martha requested memorial contributions to Hillcrest Christian Church, 11411 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, Kansas 66210 and the National Federation of the Blind of Kansas, c/o Robert Fuller treasurer, 1120 Randall Rd, Lawrence, Kansas 66049.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Martha and her family wish to express appreciation for the wonderful care provided by SeniorCare Homes and Kansas City Hospice. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'> slstanzel@kc.rr.com <slstanzel@kc.rr.com> <br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, November 14, 2024 10:11 AM<br><b>To:</b> 'NFB of Kansas Internet Mailing List' <home-on-the-range@nfbnet.org>; 'Donna Wood' <donnajwood@cox.net>; 'Dianne' <diannehemphill@cox.net><br><b>Subject:</b> Martha text obit<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Please send this text version far and wide.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>For our members who can hire a driver to attend Martha’s service, Tom Page has authorized billing the state organization. There will be a meal served after her service. Knowing this will assist you in planning your time.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Thank you for your help<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Your friend,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Susie Stanzel<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></body></html>