Martha Anne (Kirby) Middleton

MIDDLETON, WIS. - Martha Anne [Kirby] Middleton, of Middleton, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 28, 2010. She was born on February 24, 1923 to the late Clifford Blackwell Kirby and Mary Milburn [Weaver] Kirby in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert Kempton Middleton in 1986, and sisters, Evelyn Jane Kirby and Jean Elizabeth [Kirby] Vickrey. She is survived by her four children; Robert Kempton Middleton III and wife Barbara of Sherwood, Arkansas; Carol Ann Middleton and husband Al Chicarella of Annandale, Virginia; Patricia Louise Middleton and husband Paul Skidmore of Madison, Wisconsin; and Bruce Kirby Middleton of Fayetteville, Arkansas; four grandchildren – Robert Bruce Middleton of Seminole, Florida; Dr. Owen Lee Middleton of Lino Lakes, Minnesota; Angus Kempton Middleton and Ayla Kirby Middleton, both of Fayetteville, Arkansas; and three great-grandchildren – Robert Edward Middleton, Sebastian Lee Middleton, and Elliot Lauren Middleton. Growing up in Indianapolis, Martha graduated from Shortridge High School and attended Butler University, where she was an active member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. After living in several locations around the country, she and Bob settled in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where Martha was active with the local Pi Phi chapter. Martha gave thirty years’ volunteer service to the Northwest Arkansas Mental Health Association, serving as Treasurer and President along the way. She was also active in local bridge clubs, the Twentieth Century Club, and the League of Women Voters. Martha loved to swim, take walks with her friends, travel, read, bird watch, weave, correspond and visit with her friends and family. She was a loving daughter, sister, mother, aunt, and friend and she will be sorely missed by all her friends and relatives. She will be laid to rest in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to support the work of a local mental health association. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the staff of Clare Bridge of Middleton for their loving and compassionate care and to Hospice Care for their timely assistance at the sunset of Martha’s life.