Martha Shackelford (Frerichs)

Martha Frerichs Shackelford died peacefully on March 15, 2018after a courageous 7 year battle against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. She was 57.

Martha was born on November 6, 1960 in Beatrice, NE to her parents, Dr. C.T. and Julia Frerichs. She graduated from Beatrice High School, and earned her Bachelors of Science Degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Nebraska in 1983 and her Masters of Art of Degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Kansas in 1985. She was a proud member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority while at Nebraska. She married her favorite engineer, Scott Shackelford, in 1984 after a briefengagement. She then worked as a speech pathologist and cared for adult head injury and stroke patients at the Rehabilitation Institute in Kansas City, MO and at Shawnee Mission Medical Center in Shawnee, KS. She retired in 1990 and moved on to her next and final career as a full time mother. She dedicated herself to caring for her four children, volunteering at her local church, and leading Bible studies in her home.

Martha was a gifted pianist and vocalist. During high school, she represented the state of Nebraska in a 50 state choir that travelled to 10 countries in Europe and sang in native languages.  This tour included a performance at Carnegie Hall. She played the piano and sang during worship services as part of the worship and arts teams at Colonial Presbyterian Church, Hillcrest Covenant Church and Leawood Presbyterian Church.Martha was an amazing cook who loved to take on new culinary challenges. She travelled extensively, including trips to Germany, England, France, Austria, Italy, Thailand, India, the Caribbean Islands and Mexico. She loved to hike mountains near Vail, CO and soak up the sun on Captiva Island, FL, among other fun locales that she experienced with her husband, childrenand friends.

Martha is survived by her husband of 33 years, Scott Shackelford; her daughters, Meg Shackelford, Lydia Shackelford and Meredith Shackelford; her son, Troy Shackelford; her father, C.T. Frerichs; and her three sisters, Chris Moran, Fran Caldwell and Jane Weber. She was preceded in death by her nephew, Thomas Weber, and her mother, Julia Meadows Frerichs.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, March 23, at Colonial Presbyterian Church, 9500 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Leawood Presbyterian Church Worship and Arts Program.