ForeverMissed
Large image

This site is dedicated to the memory of Martha Elizabeth Perrin Laidlaw. She was with us for 97 years. There will be a celebration of her life at a later date. Until that time please send your condolences and remembrances to this site so that her life and contributions will be remembered.

There are Photos in the Gallery and her Obituary is included.   Hopefully others will add stories of her life in Yates Center and Kansas City.   

There have been many responses on several social media sites and they are being collected here.   Please look under the Stories Tab to see additional condolences.
 

February 19, 2021
February 19, 2021
I received the notice of Martha's 104th birthday. 

Since we lost Betty, the memories are important.  I looked at the photos of her and realized she and Betty were beautiful women.  I saw similarities in in their looks.  Bless them both. Remember. 
February 19, 2018
February 19, 2018
Gone almost 4 years. Hard to believe. Happy 101, Mom!
February 19, 2017
February 19, 2017
Happy 100th Birthday Mom!! Love you and miss you!!
February 19, 2016
February 19, 2016
Happy 99th Birthday mother. I miss you and think of you often.
Your loving daughter.
February 19, 2015
February 19, 2015
Happy Birthday mom!! I love you and miss you!! 
   Your daughter
March 3, 2014
March 3, 2014
I only met Martha once but I will always remember her beautiful smile.

Betty, you were a wonderful daughter and especially the last eight years while your mom was in the nursing home you gave her your time, attention, and love.
You were a caring friend while my mom went through many of the same stages your mom went through. Thank you for being a great sounding board.
 It was a privilege for Dennis and me to go to Yates Center and help you clear out your mom's room and to attend the funeral home with you while you made final arrangements.
May all the good wishes, deeds, and prayers of your friends and family give you strength and comfort during this difficult time. Love, Marcy
March 1, 2014
March 1, 2014
Martha was such a sweet and gracious lady with such a loving family. Thinking of you all and hoping your many wonderful memories bring you peace and comfort in the days ahead. When someone you love becomes a memory...that memory becomes a treasure. Betty and Tommy ~ Treasure your memories and know your mom was a blessing to so many...her kind and gentle ways are reflected in both of you and she'll be forever in your hearts. Love, Sheila
February 28, 2014
February 28, 2014
Betty, What a beautiful woman your mother was! And, I know from listening to you, that she was beautiful inside and out. No matter what the age, losing someone you love is painful. My sincere condolences on your mom's death. I know you always did your best to make sure she was comfortable and taken care of.
February 27, 2014
February 27, 2014
My dear friend Tom, Very sorry for you kid's loss.
Martha was a very dear friend of mine, and I know that Theron loved her also. She put up a lot with all of you as teenagers.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love you, as always, Adamarie
February 27, 2014
February 27, 2014
When I think of my Great-Grandmother I think of a very special Christmas cookie tin. It played a Christmas song every time you opened it. Inside were her delicious no-bake cookies (a recipe which my mom and I have never been able to quite get right). I think this cookie tin and the treats inside were a staple of family holidays at my grandma's house. It was always the family joke that you could never sneak a cookie because the tin would alert everyone in the house that you were taking one. And Great-Grandma just beamed in her usual way (sometimes with curlers in her hair :)), glowing that everyone was enjoying her cookies. I also remember the most clearly her laugh--I always remember liking to make her laugh when I was young because her whole face would light up and her nose would scrunch to keep her glasses up. She was a wonderful lady and I am glad she is now at peace in the way I remember her best.
February 26, 2014
February 26, 2014
Remebering the first time I met Martha when Betty brought her to the bookstore where we both worked. She was such a lovely lady, with a beautiful smile and happy demeanor. Tiny with a huge heart and strong will. Her family is so very fortunate to have had her all these many year, sending hugs and prayers to all the family.
February 26, 2014
February 26, 2014
Dear Betty, I am so very sorry for your loss, but so happy for all the wonderful years you shared with your Mother. I remember her from the visits to your home during High School, such a sweet, gracious hostess to a bunch of silly teenagers. Her picture looks so much like you in your Theta Chi panel pictures. My thoughts are with you, dear friend. Love, Pat Harvey Cupp
February 26, 2014
February 26, 2014
I am so sorry about your mom, Betty. I never met her, but she must have been a super lady, because she had such a great family.
February 26, 2014
February 26, 2014
So sorry for your loss! Martha was a classy lady and so so sweet. I so enjoyed being around her, and taking care of her. My prayers are with you all!
February 26, 2014
February 26, 2014
Betty, Ronda, Scott & Rick,
We share your grief in the time of beravement.
With deepest sympathy and condolence.
Jane and Marion Herman
February 26, 2014
February 26, 2014
Betty, Ronda, Scott and Rick....Sorry to hear of your mom and grandma's passing. I hope the fond memories you must have of your time's with her will ease the pain of her loss. Thanks to Tom for the notice.
February 26, 2014
February 26, 2014
From a letter I wrote to Grandma about 7 years ago before she was headed into a difficult surgery, these words capture the wonderful childhood memories I have of her:

I have a very good friend who, as she was raising her children, was always concerned about creating memories for them. It was an interesting perspective to me—I guess I did not come into the job of motherhood thinking that that was one of my roles. But I want you to know that as I think back to my childhood, many of my happiest memories are from times that I spent with you in Yates Center. I would bet Rick and Scott would say the same thing. I remember sitting at the kitchen counter, which I thought was a very cool thing in and of itself, and eating cereal with half-and-half. And I remember eating yummy fresh picked strawberries. I remember jumping on the trampoline for hours by myself, day dreaming about what I would be when I grew up and what I would name my children. I remember getting ice cream at Peter Pan. I remember going to the grocery store with you (was it the Hy-Mart?) and always having you let me get some silly little toy there. I remember cutting out Betsy McCall paper dolls from the magazines you saved for me. I remember the Barbie doll clothes that you had made for me. And I remember the white/silver Christmas tree with the rotating color lights as the most beautiful Christmas tree in the world. I imagine that it might have been tiring having the three of us around, but if so, you never showed it. I always remember feeling special and that you were happy being our Grandma and happy having us there. So, thank you, Grandma, for all the happy memories you created for me. You have always been such a wonderful and loving Grandma to us all.

And that is what she was...sweet, kind, and wonderfully loving to us all!   I am happy that she is now at peace.

Leave a Tribute

Light a Candle
Lay a Flower
Leave a Note
 
Recent Tributes
February 19, 2021
February 19, 2021
I received the notice of Martha's 104th birthday. 

Since we lost Betty, the memories are important.  I looked at the photos of her and realized she and Betty were beautiful women.  I saw similarities in in their looks.  Bless them both. Remember. 
Recent stories

Messages from Facebook on Martha, part 2

March 11, 2014
Nancy Vickery: We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Dennis Hartmann: Tom, Sorry for your loss. She was a great lady to have raised a son like you.
Barb Thorne: So sorry to hear - I'm praying for all of you!
Bob Lorenz: Tom I am thinking if you and this great loss. James Graves: Sorry for your loss, Tom. Kate McCartney: Tom so sorry for your loss. I told mom and she sends prayers to you as well as me. She was so pretty and a very kind woman. Pam Hubbard-Knowles: Hugs and prayers for you and your family.l am so sorry about your mama. Debra Grace Williams: Sorry for your loss, Tom ~ my prayers are with you and your family. Sharla Creach: So sorry, Tom... Cindy Adams: Sending hugs to you and Nancy. She was a true lady! John Higgs: Sorry for your loss, Tom. Beth Peterson Hines: She was a beautiful lady. We will miss her. Byron Anson: Its always a loss when parents pass, so many memories and so many learning experiences. but you have them all and pass them to your family and the people you meet in life so their life lives on. Byron Ada Kee: Tom, you and Nancy have my prayers. Paula Grano Garber: So sorry for your loss, Tom. Bruce and I are wishing you peace. Tina Stone: I echo what Paula wrote, Tom. Susan Aalseth: You are in my prayers. Norm Mossman: Sorry to hear Tom. Bernita Mossman: Sorry to hear of your loss Tom Trudy Chatterton Tenpenny: So sorry to hear about your mom, Tom. She was a sweetheart and always so friendly to everyone around her. Our prayers are with you and your family. Carol Dodge Lyon: She was a very sweet lady. Larry Bell: Tom so sorry. She was such a great lady. Patricia Purcell Atkin: Thinking of you she was so sweet Nikki Jacobs: It was a honor to care for Martha. She will be truly missed! Carolyn McKinsey Terry: thoughts and prayers to the family

Messages from Facebook on Martha, part 1

March 11, 2014
Burry Bessee: So sorry, Tom. May you find comfort among the family and your memories. Sheila Kostas: So sorry for your loss, Tommy. She was a great lady and had a big impact on many of us growing up in YC. So glad I spent time with her last Saturday sharing stories of growing up with you and working with Betty....it seemed to bring her peace...she will be missed:)
Linda Blackwood Hatch: So sorry Tom she was such a sweet lady. I met her when my mom was in the Nursing home.
Kathy Becker
: I'm sorry, Tom. It is so sad to lose people we love. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
David Stewart: So sorry to hear of your loss. What a wonderful lady and a wonderful long life. Thinking if you and your family.
Sheila Conroy: So sorry, Tom. Prayers and good thoughts to you all from me and from Peder.
Barbara Leavitt
: Sorry for your loss. Praying for your family.
JaneandHarry Traylor: So sad that your mom passed. We all know she is the one in a better place but our hearts ache when they leave. Praying for you & your whole family during this time of loss & grieving. May God bless you.
David Dubrow: Terribly sorry to hear it, Tom. Deepest condolences from our family to yours.
Shelia Eckroat Lampe: I'm so sorry. I thought the world of your Mom. You all are in my prayers.
Marilyn Arbuckle: Sorry for your loss.
Jason Grant Vickery: Sorry to hear for your loss tom. Sending prayers to you and Nancy
Susan Mulsow: I'm so sorry, treasure those precious memories.
Carol Ann Poulson: Oh Tom-- thinking of you and Nancy!
Kathy Kress: I am sorry to hear about your mom. She was a great lady and she will be missed.
Seth Barondess: Sorry to hear of your loss. Hugs to you and your family.
Tracy B-Wilson: prayers are coming this way as well May God be with you til we meet again
Rebecca Eller: Tom I'm very sorry for your loss.
Curtis Mahon: Sure sorry to hear Tom . We lost Mom this past May & I know how hard it is no matter how old we are .
Sheryl French Radetsky: Our deepest sympathies.
Cheryl Hay: Oh Tommy, I'm so sorry. It's so hard to let them go. Praying for you and your family.
Beverly Bayer: She must have been a great Mom ... look how you turned out!
Jan Stewart- Clark: Our deepest sympathies to you Tom, keeping you and Nancy in our prayers.
Patty Brown Malcolm: So sorry for your loss. Praying for your family.
Carolyn McKinsey Terry: so very sorry for your loss, prayers coming your way and to the family
Anne Marie Summers: I'm sorry for your loss, Tom. You and your family are in my thoughts.
Tammy Bunch Sarver: So sorry Tom. Will be thinking of you all.
Sonia Guerrero: I'm so sorry for your loss Tomasito. Sending my prayers & thoughts your way... Thinking of you & your family...
Richard Saxon: Sorry to hear about you mom's passing Tom. Fran and I will be thinking of you.
Patsy Kester: Tom, I am so sad to hear this. She was a beautiful and very special lady. I'm thinking of you and praying for you and your family.
Jackie Moerer: So sorry for your loss. Prayers will be going out to you and your family.
Carol Crawford: Sorry for loss.
Randy Ritter: Wow...sorry to hear this Tom. I have a lot of great memories of both your parents. Thoughts and Prayers my friend
Claudia Riggs: I'm so sorry for your loss, Tom. You and your family are in my prayers.
Jay Kretzmeier: My thoughts are with you Tom, Nancy, Clint and Leisha.
Lynn Schornick: My sincerest condolences Tommy to you and your family.
Tom Peterson: Sorry to hear that Tom.....She was a wonderful woman...Your family are in my prayers.
Errol Woolen: Our sincere condolences.
Charlene Potts Keener: She was a beautiful person inside and out, she will be missed but she is at peace. My heart goes out to you Tom and Nancy too.
Phil Tobias: Tom, sorry to hear about your Mom. You're in our thoughts and prayers.
John Locke: Sorry to hear that Bro. Laidlaw. Hang in there man.
Julie Stevenson Haven: My condolences to you and your family, Tom.. God bless..
Cindy Nolting: Tom, I'm sorry for your loss of your mom. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Guy Stamps: Tom sorry to hear the news, I had my mother for over 96 years but the last 11 were in a care home and we were there every day and sometimes more than once but I have no regrets. Remember your parents and you and think of those Y. C. days ofter. With love and prayers. Guy & Rebecca Clarissa Stamps
Daniel Cannady: Tom sorry to hear about your mom she was a great lady she will be missed
Wes Smith: Sorry to hear about your mom Tom. I always enjoyed being around her. She was one of the most truly a sweet and caring person I knew.
Jo Ann Robinson: What a sweet tribute. Sorry for your loss, Tom. We are never ready to lose one of our parents-even when we know for some time that it is coming soon.
Clark O. Taylor: sorry for your loss. my mother and I both have fond memories of your mothers. You are blessed to have been able to share so much life with her. i treasure every day with my own.

Invite others to Martha's website:

Invite by email

Post to your timeline