Martha Patterson Kidder

Martha Patterson Kidder of Wilmington, NC died Friday, July 5, 2013, at Lower Cape Fear Hospice and Life Care Center. She was born November 30, 1919 in Richmond, VA, the daughter of Mattie Gregory Patterson Handy and James Thomas Patterson. She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, George (Roddy) Everard Kidder, Jr. Killed in World War II were her two brothers, Richard Fuller Patterson and James Thomas Patterson, Jr. of Richmond, VA and her husband, John Henry Neff of Charlottesville, VA. Mrs. Kidder attended St. Catherine's School, Richmond, VA and Wildcliff Junior College, Swathmore, PA. During World War II she worked for the Volunteer Service Bureau in charge of meeting troop trains at local railroad stations. She was a board member of the Junior League in Richmond, VA and in Wilmington, NC and loved being involved with the Pied Piper Theater Production put on each year by the Junior League for young school children. She continued her volunteer service in Wilmington for the rest of her life. Mrs. Kidder was a past president of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the state of North Carolina and a past president of the Ministering Circle. She served on the Ellet - St. Catherine's School Alumnae Board. She was a member of the Cape Fear Country Club, The Surf Club of Wrightsville Beach and The Carolina Yacht Club. Mrs. Kidder is survived by her two daughters, Martha Patterson Kidder Crittenden (Thomas L., Jr.) and Anne Empie Kidder Gore (Thomas C.); two beloved grandchildren, Thomas Kidder Gore (Julia Darling) and Susanna Latané Crittenden Miller (Adam David) and one great granddaughter, Elizabeth (Liza) Kidder Gore. She is also survived by her nephew, William Henry Beatty (Sally) and her niece, Frances Beatty Adler (Allen); two grand nephews and a grand niece all of New York City. Graveside services will be held Sunday, July 7, 2013 at 3:00 pm at Oakdale Cemetery with Chaplain Sweetie Francis officiating. The family will receive friends at the home of her daughter, Anne K. Gore, 2118 Gillette Drive on Saturday, July 6, 2013, from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Richard Fuller Patterson Memorial Scholarship, Woodberry Forest School, Woodberry Forest, VA 22989; Lower Cape Fear Hospice and Life Care Center 1414 Physicians Drive Wilmington, NC 28403, or to a charity of one's choice. The family would like to thank Mrs. Kidder's wonderful caregivers for their loving care during her illness.