SEARLE, Martha Ellen

The Payson Roundup, Payson, Arizona, Friday, November 22, 2013 Martha Ellen Searle January 2, 1920 - November 16, 2013 Martha Ellen Kennedy Searle, 93, formerly of Payson, died peacefully on Nov. 16, 2013 in her daughter’s home in Port Ludlow, Wash. She had lived in Payson with her husband of 69 years, Elmer Lee Searle, from 1975 through 2010, when he died. Martha was born in Bloomington, Ind. Jan. 2, 1920 to Wylie and Clara Kennedy and grew up in Colorado. She met Elmer, the love of her life, while she was in nurses’ training school and married him in 1941, shortly before she graduated. As an Air Force wife, she enjoyed a life of travel in the United States and particularly loved the two years she lived in Japan. She was a talented artist, creating beautiful wood block prints, paintings, and pencil sketches. While in Payson, she was active in the community as a friend of the library, by providing tax assistance to the elderly, as a member of the Payson United Methodist Church, and in the church choir. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Ellen Searle Theisen; brothers, Philip and Charles Kennedy; four grandchildren, Dianna Lauri Smith, Sherri Lee Smith Cowhig, John Eric Theisen, and Debra Jade Addae; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Judith Lee Searle Smith, and great-granddaughter, Ashley Theisen. A memorial service will be held at the Port Ludlow Community Church on Dec. 8 to celebrate her life. Donations in Martha’s memory may be made to the Payson Public Library.