Martha Dickinson

Martha Dickinson, 86, Topeka, died Saturday, April 23, 2011 at Midland Hospice House. Martha was born December 1, 1924 in Glen Elder, the daughter of Archie and Daisy (McCrory) Taylor. She married Max Dickinson on August 8, 1943. He preceded her in death in 1975. They had two children, Joleen (Ned) Nusbaum and John (Pat) Dickinson, both of Topeka. She had 4 grandchildren, Nancy Nusbaum, Atlanta, GA; Matt (Stacia) Nusbaum, Washington, DC; Kelly (Todd) Zimmerman, Topeka; Jamie Dickinson, Mission; and great granddaughter, Karley Zimmerman. Martha was from a family that included two sisters and three brothers. One sister, Phyllis Weidenhaft, Glen Elder, survives. Her sister-in-law, Wanda Taylor, Abilene, also survives. She had many nieces and nephews. After graduating from Glen Elder High School, and moving to Topeka, she and her husband, Max, operated their own business for 6 years. Martha joined the clerical world of work starting at Topeka State Bank and became a part of Topeka Public Schools clerical staff in 1959. She was the first employee to work at the new Topeka West Highs School being built and to open in the fall of 1961. She served as a main office secretary and bookkeeper at Topeka West High School for 26 years, retiring in 1987. After her retirement, Martha enjoyed scheduling trips and acting as a tour guide for the Retired Teachers Association of Topeka. She enjoyed other post retirement jobs, working part time at the Jones Store and Lovin and Learnin Toy Store. She volunteered and served on the Normandy Condominium Homeowners Board of Directors for several years before moving to Aldersgate Village Independent Living in 2006. Martha was a lifelong member of the Crestview United Methodist Church and enjoyed playing cards with friends and watching college and professional sports. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at Mount Hope Cemetery. Martha will lie in state at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel after 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday and visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Fund at Aldersgate Village, 7220 SW Asbury Drive, Topeka, Kansas 66614. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com Martha Dickinson