Martha Jane Graham, 96, of West Lafayette, died at 5:26 p.m. Monday, Nov. 29, 2010, at Westminster Village. She was born Dec. 18, 1913, in Otterbein, to the late Wade and Katherine Switzer Bolt. She graduated from Otterbein High School in 1931 and received her B.S. in chemistry from Purdue University in 1935. She marriedContinue Reading
My family and I are long time friends of Marty..my mom, Betty Vaughan, and my aunt, Virginia Kelly Karnes, were classmates of hers at Purdue...she is one of the reasons I pleged Alpha Chi Omega....I have known her since the early 60&s and we spent many family get togethers together reminiscing about their school years together...She introduced me to Ardath Burkhart who I also spent much time with.....
When I was AX alumnae president in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in the 70&s she and Ardath came down and spoke at my alumnae chapter...When we moved to Indianapolis Marty Jane acquainted me with the various highlights of the area.
We have stayed in touch over the years and my dad and I have visited her several times at Westminster Village...She attended my mom&s memorial service in Chicago with our family in 1995...
Marty was such fun and had a wonderful, witty sense of humor with so many wonderful stories to tell about her life, travel, family and friends.. You always loved being with her and so enjoyed her company...She was just a delight to be with. She was the kind of lady I hope to be when I am older...so very wise...
We spent time together during several Alpha Chi National Conventions together .....one in Philadelphia and then Indianapolis...she always knew so many people at these get togethers...Everyone sought her out to talk with her and they had many happy memories with her.
She certainly lived life to the fullest and she will be missed by all of us...She contributed so much to this world with her kind spirit and cheerful disposition...what a wonderful lady she was!
I would so appreciate it if I could talk to her daughter, Sue, and learn more about her life and her accomplishments...She can email me at writesusie@aol.com or call me at 317-842-5467.....thank you very much...Sue Vaughan Nelson
I got to know and love Martha as I gave Vesper messages at Westminster over the last ten years or so.
Of course you already know these things about her, but I did so enjoy her energy and enthusiasm, which were obviously not dimmed,even after her many years of life. I sometimes do ""off beat"" things in the services I lead, like monologues or dialogues. She was so much fun to have in the audience because she was always right ""with"" me during the presentation, as well as offering words of appreciation afterwards.
She must have been such fun to have as a mother, grandmother, friend, over the years. I will miss her smiling, encouraging presence in my life, and I know that you will. I thank God for the opportunity and privilege to know her.
Pastor Anella McFee
Dear Sue and Jerry,
You have my sincere sympathy and condolences at this sad time. During the past two weeks, I have thought of you often.
Your mother was a strong person who accomplished much and unselfishly used her ability and skills to help others. She contributed in many ways at Westminster and will be missed greatly. My mother, Carolyn Holder, and Martha shared many happy childhood memories as cousins growing up next door to each other.
I will plan to see you at the service tomorrow unless it is snowing. Living twenty-eight miles from West Lafayette, I do not drive when the roads are slick.
With sympathy,
Ann Holder Chezem
Dear Sue and Jerry,
I am sorry that I do not feel well enough to attend services for Martha tomorrow. I send my sympathy to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Holder
Sorry for the loss of your Mother. I lost my Mom the same day, about 5 hours after your mom passed. She was 6 weeks shy of 93.I moved her from Westmimster about 9 years ago to Nursing home here in Wilmington, NC.
Besides those coinsidences, my mom, Nondas Helm Daigger, also was a volunteer at Home Hospital and was on the board at one time.They both lived a very active and fruitfull life.
My best regards to you and your family.
Bob Helm(class of 58)
Will always remember your mother for the way she was so nice to me. Many times
she would pick me up to take us wherever and bring us back plus just treating me
so well. She was a great lady and I am sure you will miss her greatly. My best to you
and your family in these tough times.
Ron Rooze