Martha and I were “first friends” from preschool times...she lived directly across the street and her home was like a second home to me. I have so many memories of playing house with dolls in her basement, hopscotch on our sidewalks, catching lightening bugs, cooking, sewing and playing croquet in her back yard. We’d walk through Ralph and Bea’s big beautiful vegetable and flower garden and sneak unripe grapes from the arbor.
I loved our late night talks on hot summer evenings. We would sitting on the curb on Hollister Drive, under the street light, sharing deep thoughts and laughing while swatting away moths and June bugs.
Supper at the Klotzbiers’ was always a treat in their cozy dining room surrounded by sweet Hummel figurines on the high shelves. And the delicious food prepared by Bea.
During slumber parties, we would always find a moment to sneak into Kathleen’s bedroom, across the hall from Martha’s (the “left gable”) to marvel over her huge collection of horse figurines.
I loved listening to Martha play the piano at the far end of the living room and the magical displays she would create under the Christmas tree with figurines. Every year at Christmas time, as kids, we would re-gift each other with this pale green ultra-cheap dime store set of Lily of that Valley cologne and dusting powder. I suspect it went back and forth 8-10 times. We really loved snow, especially the first snow of the season, which always resulted in snowball fights and snow angels. I remember the knitted hats Martha wore...the ones that were like wide headbands that tied under the chin, leaving her long hair free in the back. We were quite a duo in neighborhood kickball games and the West Wood swim team. We prided ourselves in our athleticism and competitive spirits. We preferred to be on the same team. I believe my friendship with Martha enhanced my childhood and my imagination in an enduring ways.
The first time we attended the same school was in our high school years, as Martha had been in a parochial schools through 8th grade and I attended the neighborhood public school. In high school Martha buried herself in her schoolwork, and it paid off in stellar grades. Martha, Doreen and I boycotted our senior prom and had one of the most fun nights ever, goofing off and making & eating delicious candies at Martha’s house until the wee hours of the morning. “Streaking” was popular in those days, and one of us possibly streaked across the street on a dare that unseasonably chilly night.
Martha attended IUPUI and studied chemistry. I recall one weekend when she visited me at IU and stayed in the dormitory I shared with our mutual friend, Doreen. Topics of conversations were focused on dating and our study majors along with silly high school memories. As always, Martha took her academics seriously and made the best grades. When Martha met Bob, she made it clear he was “the one” I was a bridesmaid in her beautiful wedding at Saint Gabriel’s with the reception in the basement. My brother, Joe and I helped to decorate their “getaway car” with crepe paper and white shoe polish. Martha was the second in our circle of friends to marry and have “Baby Bobby” (I was so jealous!) Martha had always dreamed of being a mother and I knew she would be the best, most nurturing one.
We sadly fell out of touch when I married and moved to Seattle. I remember her mother, Bea’s sweet advice to me on moving so far away...basically “don’t do it” lol.
Of course, Martha’s life became busy with working as a Medical Technologist at Methodist Hospital, having another baby boy and participating in their various activities. My life was busy as well with being a wife, working and raising two daughters...and being so far away, as Bea so lovingly had warned me about. <3
The last time I saw Martha was in the immediate days following the sudden loss of my parents in the spring of 2013. We sat silent with our tears for a long while. No words were necessary. I was devastated and so comforted by Martha’s compassionate, empathetic and loving presence. We hadn’t seen each other in years, and yet it was like no time had passed at all, Our hearts were attached from age 3.
I loved Martha dearly and and always will. I am grateful for having her in my life. <3
Rest in Heavenly Peace, Martha
Condolences to her loved ones.
