Martha Kolton Lipford was one smart Cookie.

Cookie, who passed away Thursday, November 2, retired as Accounting Supervisor for the BJ. She was at Ol’ Blue Walls for more than 25 years.

 

The lifelong Akron resident was the widow of North Carolina native Charles “Chick” Lipford, who worked at Firestone for 37 years.

 

Cookie knew how to enjoy life. Accounting and Circulation department retirees from the BJ have reunions at the drop of a glitzy bonnet.

 

For example, the surprise November 20 birthday party that her BJ friends threw in 2013 for Cookie.

 

Beacon Journal alumni gathered at the Arlington Street Golden Corral. Carol Eubank, who never misses a party or running a charity fundraiser, was there. So was Cheryl Scott Sheinen, wife of former BJ staffer Neil Sheinin and a retiree from the BJ Finance Department, where she spent 45 years.

 

Cookie was at the same Arlington Street Golden Corral a year earlier when the gang had a get-together with BJ Accounting Department retiree Linda McElroy. Linda's husband, Business Department retiree Harold McElroy, passed away in 2011. The McElroys and retired printer Dick Latshaw were neighbors on Pauleys Island, South Carolina.

Bob Craiglow and his wife, Pat, Mike Jewell and Janet Hall, Cheryl Sheinin, Noreen Dimmerling, Mick Dimeff and Carol Eubank were there. Of course. 

Cookie’s obituary nailed it with “she leaves many life-long friends she worked with at the newspaper.” Indeed.

See what I mean about any excuse for a party will do when it comes to BJ retirees?

 

Newsroom retirees are the same way. It’s in the (Ol’) Blue (Walls) blood. It must be the John S. Knight influence.

 

Cookie’s obituary:

 

Martha “Cookie” Louise Lipford (Kolton)

TOGETHER AGAIN Martha “Cookie” Lipford (nee Kolton), born November 20, 1934, a lifelong resident of Akron, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2017.

She was married to Charles “Chick” Lipford for 54 years, before his passing in 2010. She leaves behind her son, Mark (Pat) Lipford; a sister, Barbara Jean Easterling; brother, Jim (Rosemary) Kolton; sister-in-law, Wanda Smith; grandchildren, Matthew Lipford and Christopher (Rachel) Lipford; great-grandchildren, James, Winston and Michael Lipford; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Cookie worked at the Akron Beacon Journal for more than 25 years and leaves many life-long friends she worked with at the newspaper. She was an extraordinary woman, exceptional mother, and a kind, compassionate and loving person who will be very much missed. For those fortunate enough to have known her, we were truly blessed.

Special thanks and gratitude to Sunrise Senior Living who took such good care of her for the last few years and Harbor Light Hospice who saw her through her final days.

Calling hours will be on Tuesday, November 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Dunn-Quigley Akron Chapel, (811 Grant St.). Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, November 8 at 10 a.m. at the Nativity of the Lord Jesus Catholic Church, 2425 Myersville Road, Akron, Ohio, 44312.

 

Chick’s 2010 obituary:

Charles "Chick" G. Lipford passed away on March 26, 2010.

Charles was born in Gastonia, North Carolina to the late Mack and Mary Lipford, and soon moved to Akron, Ohio. A graduate of South High, he proudly served in the U.S. Army in Korea. He spent the next 37 years working at Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. In 1955 he married Martha "Cookie" Kolton who was his life partner and best friend.

Preceded in death by his brother, Tom, and his sister, Alice Kark; he is survived by his wife, Martha; son, Mark (Pat); two grandchildren, Matthew and Christopher (Rachel); two great-grandchildren, Winston and James Lipford; sister, Wanda Smith; and many nieces, nephews, and good friends.

If the true measure of a man is the impact and positive change he leaves on those whose lives he touched, then Charles' life was and incredible success. He was a terrific husband, outstanding father, loving grandfather and great-grandfather. His family was his priority.

Calling hours will be on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Dunn-Quigley Funeral Home (811 Grant St.). Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Nativity of the Lord Jesus Catholic Church, (2425 Myersville Rd.), entombment, Holy Cross Cemetery.