Martha Biddle

Hanover, NH-Martha (Brown) Biddle, 93, died Friday, Dec. 12, 2008 at Kendal. She was born in Pulaski, VA on April 16, 1915 the daughter of James R. and Grace A. (Hale) Brown. She graduated from Blacksburg, VA High School in 1932 and received a BS degree in Business Administration and Accounting from Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, VA in 1936. Upon graduating, Martha worked for VPI and later for the FBI during the war. She married Dick Biddle in April, 1942. The Biddles lived in Larchmont, NY for 11 years, Darien, CT for 20 years, 18 years in New London, NH and moved to Hanover in 1991.

Martha was a member of the Society of Friends. She enjoyed playing the piano and the organ for her church. She led an active life of sailing on Long Island Sound, playing tennis and paddle as well as x-country and downhill skiing. As a volunteer, Martha taught Sunday School and Girl Scouts, worked with the Red Cross, the Junior League, the League of Women Voters, Garden Clubs, Meals on Wheels and the Montshire Museum. Martha and Dick loved traveling and saw much of the world by boat, bus and train for as long as they were able. Martha was a very caring, compassionate and nurturing wife, mother and grandmother. She touched many people with her warmth, her ready smile and her sense of humor. Martha always encouraged others to achieve their best. Whether she was helping adults learn to read or assisting them with a personal or professional goal, she provided moral support and offered an ear if they wanted to talk. Although Martha lived in New England for over 65 years, she still considered herself a southerner.

She was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Dick Biddle, in 2005, and their son, Jim Biddle, in 2007. Surviving members of her family include her daughter, Martha Ann Biddle of Naples, FL; two sons, Richard Scull Biddle, Jr. of Thetford, VT and John Hale Biddle of Nampa, ID and six grandchildren. There will be a memorial service in the Gathering Room at Kendal at Hanover on Sunday, January 4, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. The burial will be in West Part Cemetery, New London, NH later this spring. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Kendal Reserve Fund, 80 Lyme Road, Hanover, NH 03755 or to The First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 336, New London, NH 03257. Chadwick Funeral Service of New London, NH is assisting the family with arrangements.