Martha Jane McLaughlin's Obituary
Martha Jane Kelch was born in Napoleon, Ohio on October 10, 1927 to Ralph Henry and Ruth Alice Kelch (Russell) and big sister Mary. The family moved back and forth between Ohio and Michigan as Ralph worked on the railroad. Martha spent some time growing up in Dearborn, Michigan where her father built a home for them. She loved to ice skate on the frozen river in the winter, sang in choir (Henry Ford would come and listen), and enjoyed her pet skunk, Stinker. On her thirteenth birthday, her parents gave her a Martin guitar that she learned to play and has had all these years.
In 1942, the Kelch Family moved to San Francisco and she had great stories of working in a ice cream/soda shop as a teenager and taking the cable cars to work. She then moved to retail and woman’s fashions and in those days they dressed for work…gloves, hats and heels. She always loved nice, put together outfits and always loved her hair done and her lipstick on!
Martha was a doting Aunt to her nephew Bob and niece RuthAnn. They were her first babies and together often. They took trips together and she stayed with RuthAnn when she and her husband Dale had their daughter, Jennifer. She and Lyle were a second mom and dad to them and they enjoyed taking Jennifer along with them wherever they went.
In 1957, Martha attended a dance with her sister Mary and best friend Blanche at the AliBaba Club in Oakland. She met a handsome young man, Lyle McLaughlin, who was there with his two best friends, Weldon and Babe Thomas. All three had small airplanes and told them their flying stories that night. Martha thought Lyle was so handsome but thought he was a playboy and wouldn’t I give him her phone number…but her sister Mary did. Lyle called Martha and on their third date he flew her to him cabin at Clearlake and gave her a gold cross necklace that she has always worn. Martha and Lyle were married on June 20, 1959. They were married at the Lutheran Church in Minden, Nevada and Weldon and Babe were witnesses.
Lyle and Martha had a son, Stephen in 1960 who passed at six weeks old. It was a difficult time but on Thanksgiving Day 1960, they moved into their new home in Pinole and in April 1961 welcomed their daughter Elizabeth. Eighteen months later their second daughter Patricia arrived. Martha was a natural born caretaker so when her daughters were born it was natural that she stayed home and raised them both and poured everything she had into doing so. She was the Heart of the Family and was so selfless and nurturing. She would always say, “It will all work out” …and it always did! When the girls were growing up their house was where all of the kids hung out and were always welcome. There was always lots of food and love!
When their Grandchildren arrived they could not be talked into traveling …they wanted to be home and help to raise their grandbabies and they did! They were involved in their daily routines, preschool, school activities and sports. They were always there with love and support. When Lyle passed in 2001, Martha carried on with all four grandchildren as they great into teenagers and young adults and has a special bond with each of them. She was especially excited to help teach them to drive she was always calm and casual about getting in the car with them and always told them how well they were doing!
Christmas was always a good excuse for Martha to shop and could she shop! She wouldn’t stop untils she found the perfect gift for everyone. We couldn’t keep up with her!! When she could no longer drive and get around, Liz and Trish would take her in her wheel chair and it didn’t slow her down a bit!
After several health issues made it not possible for Martha to live on her own , she moved to Better Living Home Care in Pleasant Hill in July 2015. Of course, everyone there became her family as well. She was loved by all there and she showered them and her special love.
Martha is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth Cardoza (Michael) and Patricia Sanchez (Paul); grandchildren, Nicholas Crigger, Rachel Cardoza, Ashley and Spence Sanchez, and a loving host of nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends.
Funeral Services will be held at 12 noon on Friday, December 9, 2016 at Chapel of the Chimes-Chimes Chapel, 4499 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland, CA 94611.
Gifts in Martha’s honor may be made to Hope Lutheran Church, 2830 May Road, El Sobrante, CA 94803 or UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 45339, San Francisco, CA 94145-0339. Be sure to include Martha’s name and who you wish to be notified of the gift.
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