Martha Miller Roult

Martha Miller Roult passed away after a brief illness on Saturday, February 20, 2010.

Born to Robert and Mary Jane Tierney Miller, Martha spent most of her life in the Kansas City area. She married Charles Andrew Roult on June 30, 1956 in the same church where she first became an organist. Martha treasured her Catholic faith and was a beacon of Christ's love to all who encountered her.

She was a graduate of St. Teresa's Academy and Saint Mary College, and also studied piano for several years at the Kansas City Conservatory of Music. An accomplished musician, Martha became the church organist at St. Francis Xavier Catholic church at the age of twelve. She was a favorite accompanist for many vocalists and chamber musicians, and gave of her musical talents to her church and at numerous weddings, funerals and charity events. In recent years, she and a fellow pianist began to delight neighbors with their four-handed piano performances. A favorite selection was Gershwin's A Rhapsody in Blue.

Martha served on auxiliaries and boards for Saint Mary College, St. Joseph Hospital, the Serra Club and the Marillac Center. She was active in planning social events with the Knights of Columbus, and at Curé of Ars, where she had been a parishioner since 1970. A consummate hostess, Martha could always be counted on to provide hospitality and hors d'oeuvres whipped up out of absolutely nothing at a moment's notice. To the Roults, this is known as "fixing a tray."

For a time, Martha worked at Crestwood Floral, where she learned to make hand-tied bows, a skill that she taught her daughters and that they still practice. Upon graduation from Saint Mary College, Martha Miller taught at Bishop Hogan High School for several years. Marriage and moves took her to Cleveland, Saint Louis, and Chicago. Back in Kansas City, she ran the front of the shop at the family business for many years. Retirement years saw Martha and Charles spending time in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida.

Martha is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Charles; her daughters and their spouses Maureen Roult and Ray Caron, Kathleen and Paul Marx, Helen and Steve Bryce, and Jennie and Shaun Cronin; her son and daughter-in-law Charles Jr. and Anita Klamet Roult; her grandchildren Stephen, Joseph and James Marx; Madeleine, Daniel and Nathaniel Bryce; Mary and Brigid Cronin; and Vince and Vanessa Roult; her siblings Mary Ann Hense, Robert E. Miller and Richard W. Miller; her cousin and family priest Rev. Michael Tierney; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her infant granddaughter Colleen Roult Barron.

The family requests no flowers. Friends may make memorial contributions to the Saint Mary University scholarship fund, to Rockhurst University, or to Curé of Ars Catholic Church

Mass of Christian Burial, Visitation and Rosary

Visitation will be held at Curé of Ars Catholic Church at 9401 Mission Road, Leawood, Kansas on Tuesday, February 23, 2010, from 7-9 p.m., with a Rosary preceding at 6:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, February 24, 2010, at Curé of Ars.