Martha Elizabeth Nash

Our beloved mother, Martha Elizabeth Nash, passed away on May 2, 2021 at Kansas Christian Home in Newton, Kansas. She was born April 2, 1926 in Winfield, Kansas to Will Dickinson and Elizabeth C. Troup. Elizabeth married Daniel A. Nash on October 26, 1952 in Wichita, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her 4 siblings. Elizabeth is survived by her 5 children: Beth Jayapalan (Jay) of Buffalo Grove, IL, Dana Nash of Hays, KS, Marsha Fields (Tim) of Cheyenne, WY, Terri Knight of Garden City, KS, and Jon Nash of West Chicago, IL. She also is survived by 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Legacy of John at Kansas Christian Home or Botanica, the Wichita Gardens or Friends of the Lee Richardson Zoo at Garden City, Kansas. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at Petersen Funeral Home (215 N. Main, Newton, KS). Interment will be in Garden City in the summer of 2022.

Elizabeth was a long-time member of First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ where her activities included Sunday School teacher, Church Choir, Deaconess, and Christian Women’s Fellowship. She had a lifelong close relationship with her Lord Jesus Christ.

Elizabeth earned her bachelor’s degree (zoology), medical technology certification, and master’s degree (education). She worked in hospital laboratories for over 44 years as a clinical laboratory scientist.

Helping others was important to Elizabeth, she served as a leader in Camp Fire Girls, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts. She delivered Meals on Wheels in Garden City and Newton. She volunteered as a classroom helper at Georgia Matthews Elementary.

Elizabeth was devoted to her family. She enjoyed star gazing and nature…and passed those loves to her children and grandchildren. Elizabeth traveled many miles to care for and visit grandchildren and grand dogs…always lending a hand and attending special events. She took care of her husband as his health failed.

Finally, in her spare time, she enjoyed gardening. Elizabeth loved to share her flowers with others. Many KCH staff and residents were the recipients of her gladiolus. She was a talented artist which was evident in her paintings, wood working, quilting, and sewing projects. She spent many an hour discovering her roots as she learned to research genealogy.