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Light a Candle
Martha Knowlton (Pickering) Panetti died early March 27th at her home in Webster Groves, Missouri after several months of health complications. She was surrounded by her loving husband of nearly 61 years, Dennis (Bud) John Panetti, daughter Cynthia (Jane) Panetti Cyr and son-in-law Frank J. Cyr. Martha was born August 6, 1934 in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Alice Howard Cady and John Luther “Jack” Pickering. She met Dennis John “Bud” Panetti on a golf course and later married him at the Union Congregational Church in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Martha was an honest, intelligent, witty woman, passionate about politics, social justice, and promoted active participation and speaking up. The term “What Would Martha Do?” appropriately describes her influence on the women in her life whom she inspired to get involved and do the right thing. After spending 20 years as a home maker and a “compulsive community volunteer”, she returned to school, graduating from the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) with a degree in elementary education and qualified reading specialist. She taught reading and math in a Chapter 1 program, then worked for the St. Louis County Special School District, teaching children who were homebound because of illness. Upon retirement, she volunteered helping children with their reading skills. Martha was ordained as a Presbyterian elder and served on the Session and many committees at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Dellwood, Missouri before it closed. Martha then transferred her membership to First Presbyterian Church in Ferguson, Missouri. Her love of learning and passion for social justice influenced her choices of community activities, including the League of Women Voters, AAUW (American Association of University Women), NCCU (North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice), and Action Against Apathy. She used her writing skills by serving as newsletter editor for Northminster’s weekly newsletter, writing “Opinion Shaper” columns published in the North County Journal, and a column for AAUW, among others. Martha enjoyed gardening, travel, genealogy, and reading for the various book clubs to which she belonged. A half century after moving away from Wisconsin, she was still a Green Bay Packers fan. She was also an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. In addition to her husband, Martha is survived by daughters Catherine (Mark) Epps, Ballwin, Missouri; and Cynthia (Frank) Cyr, Jacksonville Beach, Florida; grandchildren, Aimee Epps, Tampa, Florida; Rachel Epps, Austin, Texas; Trevor Epps, Ballwin, Missouri; Austin Cyr, Baltimore, Maryland; Dalton Cyr, Los Angeles, California; a sister, Deborah Cady, Capitola, California; a sister-in-law, Nancy Leonhardt, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; John Lee, (husband of her late daughter, Sue-Panetti- Lee), St. Louis, Missouri, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and her daughter, Sue Panetti-Lee, sister-in-law Carol Montie; and brothers-in-law, Leonard Montie and Lyle Leonhardt. Cremation will take place at Hutchens Mortuary. Due to COVID-19 social distancing rules, Memorial Services will be held at a later date to be determined when it is safe for family and friends to travel and gather. At this time, everyone who remembers her is asked to celebrate Martha’s life in their own way. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to The Nature Conservancy ; League of Women Voters; or Operation Food Search. Martha would also be honored if you would do some unsolicited acts of kindness.
