Martha E. Ridgeway

Martha Elizabeth Clapier Ridgeway was born June 24, 1914, left this world November 14, 2018 to walk with Jesus. Martha was born June 24, 1914 in Madisonville, Kentucky. A daughter of immigrants, Martha was born to Anna Perrson- Clapier and Paul Cecile Clapier. Martha' parents left their home countries of Sweden and Germany to come to America by way of Ellis Island, " for a better life" in 1904. They were both 16 years of age. They both quickly learned the English language and worked hard to build a successful Greenhouse/ floral business. Martha's older sister, Louise was born in Champaign, Illinois in 1912. The family later moved to Kansas in 1916 where they made their home. Martha worked in her parents’ greenhouse " CLAPIER FLORIST" on Kansas Ave.—she knew a great deal about flowers and gardening. This was where she developed her love and appreciation for nature. Martha attended Topeka High School and graduated in 1932. She graduated from Strickler's business school for typing, writing short hand and later worked at the SBA which later became SBL. Martha met and married George Bernard Ridgeway on February 3, 1946 when George was still in the Army during WW11. Together they owned and managed the RIDGEWAY BARBER SHOP in Potwin from 1946 until George retired in 1971. The family still owns the building.

They later had two daughters, Judith Ann (Ron) Robinson of Meriden and Lynda Louise (Dennis) Morrison of Topeka. Martha stopped working to care for her family and later returned to the workforce as a legal secretary in the Law firm Calmery, McClure, Funk and Hanna. Martha retired early in 1971 at the age of 57 after a hip fracture from a fall. Martha has 4 grandchildren-- Heath & Ivy Morrison (Topeka & KC), Ethan Robinson (Topeka) & Hallie Robinson-Collard (N. Carolina) and 4 great grandchildren, Ainsley Bellah (11) & Brooklyn Elizabeth Morrison (4) (Topeka) and Cora Elise (3) & Jack Ulysses Collard (19 mo) N. Carolina. Martha has one Niece, Martha Ann Kerr- Jones (Ketcham, Oklahoma.) Martha was a beautiful coloratura soprano and sang in the “Singer's Guild" back in the 1940's under the direction of her good friend and vocal teacher Rosamond Nyman. They would put on skits and plays and enjoyed live theatre. Martha was a beautiful ball room dancer in her younger days and was very artistic. She was an avid reader and a noteworthy speller. Her grammar was impeccable as was her beautiful handwriting. Martha lived through the Great Depression, the dust bowl, saw her first Model T in 1919 when her Father bought one for about $350.00 for a delivery truck for his floral business. She experienced life without air conditioning, telephones, or televisions. There was a time when roller skating, running, biking and jumping rope were the primary pleasures sought throughout childhood, and Martha reveled in them. She loved the outdoors and the beauties of nature. Few roads in Topeka were paved during then, and it would take a day trip in the flat bed wagon to travel from 20th Kansas Ave to where Gage park is today.

Martha loved animals--ALL animals, but especially dogs and birds. Finding her place of serenity through gardening, music, flowers, and nature, she was shy and quiet-spoken—an unspoiled, gentle, loving soul.

Loyal and compassionate, she loved her family, friends, her home, cooking, dancing, and singing. She was an amazing woman--genuine, kind and caring to all who knew her. She will NEVER be forgotten.

Floral tributes are welcomed, as well as memorial contributions made to Helping Hands Humane Society, in care of Davidson Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at the Davidson Funeral Home. Family will receive friends Tuesday from noon until service time. Interment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery. davidsonfuneral.com.