MARTHA ALICE (MERKLE) PADDEN
October 19, 1919 ˜ October 24, 2019
Martha Alice (Merkle) Padden left this world five days after her 100th birthday, issuing words of acceptance, gratitude, and love. The third of five children, Martha was born in Butte, Montana to Maude and Horace Merkle. In 1925, the family moved to the Mt. Tabor neighborhood of Portland, Oregon where roses grew through the sidewalks. Growing up, Martha took dance and piano lessons, and loved going to the “pictures” at the Bagdad Theatre on Hawthorne. Her love of fashion started young, she admired the clothing the actresses wore onscreen and, always a lover of a bargain, she would pay a dressmaker to sew replicas of their outfits. Driving by age 12, she chauffeured her mother down the windy roads to Seaside, and shuttled nuns to the Grotto, where she played the organ. Martha attended St. Stephen’s, Washington High, and The Madeleine, where she was captain of the basketball team. At Oregon State University, she chose her sorority based on décor, and loved spending time with her girlfriends on the banks of the Willamette River, waving at the crew team.
Martha left school to work in the shipyards during WWII. In 1945, she met a handsome naval officer, Mike Padden; they were married January 19, 1946. As Mike worked for US Steel they moved between Seattle, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and Chicago.
Martha found sustenance in her neighbors, her Catholic faith, and her morning walks to daily mass. Each summer she returned to Seaside to host visitors, play bridge, and visit her girlhood friends.
Martha was the maypole her family danced around. She created deep bonds with all of her children and grandchildren, friends and neighbors. Hosting large family gatherings, cooking Sunday dinners, playing the piano, sharing stories and recipes, sending a note she strove for a connection with every person she met.
Martha is survived by her seven children: Michael (Laura) of Spokane Valley, WA, Marybeth (Wayne Nelson) of Vancouver, WA, Barbara (Dave Dalbotten) of Edmonds, WA, Nancy (Rich Kay) of Kenmore, WA, Richard (Laurie) of Seattle, WA, Peggy of Portland, OR, Charlene (Tom Foley) of Vancouver, WA; son-in-law, Glen Shearer of Vancouver, WA; 25 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom will miss her dearly.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Mike; her parents; her siblings, Jary, Don, Helen and Joe; her infant son, Charles; and her grandson, Jake Shearer.
A funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Parish in Vancouver, WA, on Monday, November 4th at 11 a.m, with a rosary service preceding the funeral at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund.
Please sign her guest book @ www.columbian.com/obits
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
6 Entries
What a wonderful fulfilled life she lived. May she rest in peace and bring joy and cpmfort to her family through vivid memories. Our thoughts are with the entire family. Mike and Vickie Johnson
November 9, 2019
She was a fine and fun loving person! I have great memories of Mike and Martha and their marvelous family!
Ray Johnson
November 7, 2019
Charlene, your mother must have been a wonderful mother and an incredible person...you were very blessed to have had her as your mom. I wish I could have known her. it would have been my honor.
Mary Mikel DeLacy
November 4, 2019
Such a lovely woman, always so bright and fascinated by life. So glad you made it to the landmark of one-hundred years old, Great-Aunt Martha. And now you're reunited with your dear Mike. Love and peace to the family.
Stephen O'Donnell
November 1, 2019
Tom and I have been honored and delighted to be Martha's next door neighbors on Tucson Way for the past few years. It was wonderful to hear her stories of growing up on Mt. Tabor (as did I) and to try to figure out if my parents might have enjoyed the same St. Stephen's socials. She enriched our lives and our neighborhood and we will miss her greatly. We send our heartfelt condolences to her family, Kathy O'Meara-Wyman and Tom Wyman
October 30, 2019
What a wonderful life story. I loved: Martha was the maypole her family danced around. She sure was! My heart is with you all. Much love!
Sally Swenson
October 30, 2019
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