Victoria Martin, 72, of Lawrence, passed peacefully after a short illness on August 28, 2024, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital with family and friends near her side.

She was born Victoria Lynne Kidwell on November 21, 1951, in Coffeyville, Kansas, to Richard Lavere Kidwell and Irma Leola (Gray) Kidwell. She grew up in Coffeyville, Chanute and Fredonia. The youngest of four children, she modeled her mother's love of learning, history, nature and animals, and her father's love of music and dance.

Victoria married Stanley James Martin on July 1, 1972, at Danforth Chapel on the campus of the University of Kansas where they met and fell in love. She completed her undergraduate degree in art history. Stan completed his law degree, and they moved to his hometown of Abilene, Kansas, where they restored two Victorian homes and raised their children.

Victoria earned a Master of Library Science degree from Emporia State University. She especially enjoyed being a research librarian, as well as a children's librarian, sharing her love of reading with those she met while working at public libraries in Abilene and Manhattan and at Fort Riley. She was a leader in arts development in Abilene and Salina and was a gifted artist known locally for her style, creative pastels and watercolors, and jewelry. A favorite activity was being a "Picture Person" where she would visit local schools to teach students about works of art. Her family cherishes the creations she leaves behind.

Victoria loved birds and animals, a passion she lovingly passed on to her children and grandchildren. She volunteered at the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center while living in Longmont, Colorado. She moved to Monterey Village in Lawrence in 2022 where she attracted beautiful birds with her bird feeders and plantings on her front porch.

She is survived by her children, Jack (Sarah) Martin of Seattle, WA; Ty (Jill) Martin of Longmont, CO; and Jessica (Jordan) Lindfors of Tallmadge, OH; and her grandchildren Scott, Ronan and Imogen Martin and Colton and Katie Lindfors. She is also survived by her oldest sister Jolene Sevart of Wichita and many nieces and nephews. She enjoyed a special friendship with her niece Christina Jordan of Lawrence.

Victoria was preceded in death by her husband Stan, her parents Richard and Irma, her brother Richard Kidwell, and her sister Susan Jordan.

Victoria was known for her sharp wit, intelligence, love of art and history, her creativity and love of animals. Memorial donations may be made to the Spencer Museum of Art, Lawrence Humane Society or Lawrence Bird Alliance in her honor.

A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 19, at Danforth Chapel on the campus of the University of Kansas in Lawrence.