Marthabelle Leonard

Growing up, Marthabelle did not have an idyllic childhood, which she more than made up for when raising her children. She faced the hardship of going through her parents’ divorce, and then had her own mother fall ill to cancer. Marthabelle took on the burden of being her mother’s caregiver as a teenager. She was ultimately left on her own after her mother’s death when she was merely 16 years old. She rented a room and worked until she graduated from Clinton High School in 1937. That is just who she was, no excuses to be made if you want to succeed.

After high school graduation, Marthabelle moved to the “Big City”—Kansas City— to live with her Aunt Trixie. It was during the Great Depression, and she was cautioned she would not be able to find a job, but that did not deter her. She began work at Hall Brothers, where she started as an airbrush artist and worked in various departments.

In 1941, FDR, wanted faster communication technology. A trailblazer by nature Marthabelle moved to Washington DC to help establish the first offset printing plant for the government’s Office of Emergency Management. She became the head of several departments and was eventually sent to ten major cities to establish satellite printing plants. In each city she installed technical equipment and assisted with training employees. In 1944, she moved to San Francisco, where she rebuilt discarded printing equipment and trained the Nation’s military men to operate the machinery. She was not intimated by a challenge, let alone a man.

When her Aunt Trixie became sick, she returned to Kansas City to help her. Marthabelle was fiercely loyal and innately compassionate. It was by fate her move back had an important purpose, which revealed itself when she met her husband in Kansas City, at age 28. Henry Richards Leonard, a civil engineer, courted Marthabelle and charmed her with his intelligence, enough so that she agreed to his hand in marriage. They married in 1950 and had three children. They had a fabulous marriage until his untimely death in 1969. She would not marry again, however her life remained full of love from family, friends, and of course some male admirers.

In 1956, she founded Marthabelle’s Print Shop, a company that she ran for 33 years. At that time her son, Henry E. Leonard assumed leadership and Marthabelle “retired” for 10 years. Unable to stay away, her adoring son convinced “The Boss” to return to the print shop, where she ended up working until she was 98 1/2. The printing business was a perfect fit for her because she understood and knew how to do every aspect of the business, from running the presses to creating the designs to selling the product. She was an impressive woman of infinite talents.

Marthabelle was involved in many activities, too many to name. She was a member of Community Christian Church where served as a Deaconess. She belonged to the Leawood Women’s Club and led several of the subgroups. She had a heart for the elderly who lived in nursing homes. She especially took an interest in those who had no money and and no family to visit. She decorated their rooms for the holidays and mended their clothes. It goes without saying, we as her family will probably never realize the magnitude of her impact on others.

In addition to her activities, some of her hobbies included cooking, gardening, sewing, and beading jewelry. She was wildly creative, and she made the world more beautiful with her creations.

Traveling was another favorite hobby of hers. She attended printing conventions, frequented the Lake of the Ozarks, and made it down to Branson to catch her fair share of shows in Branson with her equally adventurous son, her #1 companion. She traveled extensively, to places across the world. She especially fancied the time she spent in Australia and China.

She had many friend groups, of all ages. She was a remarkable conversationalist and captivating story teller who loved to fix lunch for her audience. At least once a week you could find her chatting and laughing with her breakfast group at McDonald’s. People were instantly drawn to her magnetic personality. She collected friends effortlessly. It came as no surprise her 100th birthday party was standing room only.

Her greatest pride was her children, her granddaughter, and her great-grandson.

She is survived by her daughters, Rebecca Leonard Hyder (Tim), Martha Leonard Voight (Patrick), her granddaughter, Elizabeth Hyder Page (Mike), and her great-grandson, Harrison Forrest Page. She is also survived by her dearest best friend and high school classmate Mary Miner and her sweet dog Millie.

She was preceded in death by her beloved son Henry E. Leonard

Marthabelle was an inspiration, a Matriarch, a feisty spirit who lit up the world around her. If you met her you were surely better off because of it. Her presence on earth and the blessings she brought have become unforgettable memories held securely in the hearts of everyone she knew. Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma, Our Guardian Angel, we miss you always and forever.

For those interested in paying their respects, events will take place at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Kansas City, Missouri:

Public Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 15th from 5:00 pm- 7:00 pm

Public Graveside Service will be held on Friday, April 16th at 2:00 pm with a Celebration of Life at her granddaughter’s house to follow

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of Marthabelle’s preferred charities:

Shriner’s Children’s Hospital

City Union Mission”