Martha Kitchell

KITCHELLMartha Louise (nee Merrifield), beloved wife of 48 years to Joseph Marlow Kitchell. Loving mother of Arthur Merrifield (Julie) Kitchell, Joseph Marlow (Lani) Kitchell II, and Elizabeth Blanchard (Fred) Kitchell. Visitation at Friendship United Methodist Church, 1025 Springfield Pike, Wyoming, OH on Thursday, November 29, 2012 from 10:00 AM until time of service of remembrance at 11:00 AM. Martha Merrifield Kitchell, age 71, passed away on Saturday, November 24, 2012. She was born October 3, 1941 to Hazel B. Merrifield and Arthur T. Merrifield. Married in June 1964 to Joseph Marlow Kitchell, Martha was well rooted in the Wyoming community. Joseph and Martha were married at the Friendship United Methodist Church, a church that her parents were instrumental in its foundation. Martha was a graduate of Wyoming High School and a graduate of Colorado State University where she studied fine arts and music.Her entire life was dedicated to the arts, creativity, and spirituality. She dabbled in many media including oils, fiber arts, cloisonn?, and silk screening. Martha played many instruments including the clarinet, harp, guitar, banjo, and specialized in the dulcimer. In the later years of her life, she was a key player in two dulcimer organizations, the Cincinnati Dulcimer Society and the Hills of Kentucky. Her spirituality rituals were as vast as her artistic interests. She found comfort in non-traditional conversations with God.Martha met her then future husband, Joseph, on a blind date at a Wyoming house across the street from where they lived for over 35 years. She knew he was ''right'' for her when she realized how comfortable she was around him. Within a year they had their first child in June, Arthur Merrifield Kitchell, who she called her ''easy going child''. Two years later, their second child, Joseph Marlow Kitchell, was born who she called the ''curious one''. Two and a half years later, their third child, Elizabeth Blanchard Kitchell, was born. Martha's thought was ''Oh God, what do I do with a girl?''As a mother, she was a mentor, supporting and encouraging her children to nurture and develop their many talents and skills and to discover their special passions. She was a regular at many wrestling matches, ballet recitals, plays, games, and photography outings. Martha was both a Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader.She was never too busy to add more ''children'' to the family, including foreign exchange students and her children's friends as needed. Everyone called her Ma Kitchell or Mama K.Art is married to Julie Cottrill Kitchell and they reside in Columbus, Ohio. They have 2 four-legged ''grandchildren''. Joe is married to Lani Paz and they have one wonderful child, Michael Kestler (21) and they all reside in Cincinnati, Ohio. Liz is married to Fred Neurohr and they have two beautiful children, Abby (10) and Joey (6) and also reside in Cincinnati. Mar loved and enjoyed being a grandmother where she taught the children to cross their eyes for school photos. She encouraged play, creativity and fun in their lives. Martha was never too busy to play or laugh or tickle her grandchildren. Martha is also survived by her sister, Margaret Merrifield Wilkerson, married to Robert Wilkerson. They reside in Paris, MO. ''Tootsie'' has two children Robert Wilkerson and Leasa Wilkerson Gudderra.In lieu of flowers, a music fund is being set up at Fifth Third Bank in loving memory of Martha. The proceeds of donations will benefit her favorite non-profit organizations that use music to bring joy to life and to give the gift of music to those less fortunate. Donations can be made in person at any Fifth Third Bank or by mailing a check to: The Martha Kitchell Music Memorial Fund, C/O Fifth Third Bank, 223 W Benson Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45215.