Martha Harris MacKenzie Plowden

She was born Nov. 19, 1928 to Thomas Scott MacKenzie and Ella Manson MacKenzie in High Point, North Carolina. After completion of grade school and High Point High School, she entered Duke University as a Chemistry Major and received her Bachelor of Science degree. Martha also joined Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She graduated with such substantial success in 1950 that she was presented by her mother with a three month tour of the European continent.

Her first employment after graduation was with Cone Mills Corp. in Greensboro, N.C. as a technical assistant in the laboratory of the Research and Development Division and was a member of the Thalian Spinsters Cotillion. Although Greensboro is a bare fifteen miles from High Point, Martha chose to live in a boarding house in Greensboro where many young business people had their meals and coincidentally, where Martha and her future husband, Dick Plowden met. After a long courtship, they became engaged and were married on July 16, 1960.

In May, two months prior to their wedding, Dick was offered a management position by General Electric requiring a transfer to Phoenix, AZ. The couple eventually became reconciled to the unfavorable summer weather and has made many friends after living here for the past 55 years. Many of these friends were made through contacts at Orangewood Presbyterian Church, and Martha’s as well as Dick’s job provided may others.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, March 15, 2014 at the Orangewood Presbyterian Church 7321 N. 10th St, Phx, AZ to celebrate the life of Martha Plowden. Refreshments will be provided after the service for all to enjoy. Arrangements entrusted to A.L. Moore-Grimshaw Mortuary. www.ALMoore-Grimshaw.com