Merrillyn Leigh Hartridge

  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.                  Hebrews 11: 1  
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.                               Philippians 4: 8-9    

Merrillyn Leigh Hartridge       Merrillyn Leigh Hartridge ""Lynn"", a 4th generation Madisonian, beloved wife of the late Dr. Ted Hartridge, passed away from natural causes February 9, 2011. Born in Madison on February 27, 1922, she was the daughter of the late D.J. Leigh, Madison's elected City Treasurer serving for 27 years, and Florence (Hess) Leigh, active in many civic organizations and related to Madison's early enterprising German families.    

During World War II, Lynn majored in Related Art at the University of Wisconsin, was secretary of the Women's Self Governing Assoc., an active contributor in the Pan-Hellenic Assoc. and a member of the choir.   She continued her studies at Washington University in St. Louis. Soon after, her illustration and writing abilities were noted by Agnes Stuart, head of the original N.Y. Auerbach Co. Lynn landed a senior level position as coordinator for the new Advertising Promotion Dept. at the Auerbach Co. in Salt Lake City, Utah where she remained with notable advancements until the end of the War.  

When Lynn returned to Madison after the War, Mr. Morgan Manchester, upon seeing her portfolio of published work, hired her to implement her retail merchandising concepts in his advertising department. Local writers Louise Marston, Lorna Wiffin and Mary Hopkins regularly wrote news items on her original art and promotion ideas.  

In the early 1950s, the pioneering days of television, Lynn produced educational programs for children on the Madison ABC affiliate WKOW-TV -- these at the urging of another TV pioneer, Louella Mortensen. Lynn wrote her own scripts, designed the scenery and created the lively puppet characters that had a wide range of voices. She was asked to sign with the ASCAP's musician's union for her opening theme, her original piano tunes, lyrics and sound effects. All were performed LIVE, even the commercials, and all had to exactly fill the 30 minute time slot!  ""Puppets Pals"" made learning about history, geography and foreign cultures entertaining to young viewers. Lynn's program was in TV Guide's Best Bets each week, and she earned great support from teachers and librarians. She was invited to speak to youth groups at schools and libraries on many occasions. Lynn also produced a homemaker's program for NBC-WMTV and an interview program for the Y.M.C.A. with guests from the city, the state and the University of Wisconsin. She was a member of the National TV Media Council. In 1956, TV program director Jack Hanson, announced that one of Lynn's sponsors wanted to syndicate her nationally and have her series on film for multiple use -- they were not aware that her writing and art for TV had been ""developed"" at home with her family.  In 2003, WKOW's 50th year commemoration remembered Lynn for being on the ""ground floor"" of local TV with one of the first shows at the station to have a two camera format!  

Lynn was a prolific writer and was twice elected President of the National League of American Pen Women, WI Branch, in Arts and Letters. As Contributing & Feature Editor of Madison Select Magazine in the 1970s, she wrote on a wide variety of history related stories about Madison's newsworthy persons and places and aspiring candidates and celebrities from here and abroad. She also provided many illustrations, ads and photos for several publications. Her nature photos received awards in ""Focus on the Arboretum"" exhibits in the 1980s.  

In 1998, Lynn was presented the State Historical Society of Wisconsin Board of Curators' Nonfiction Book Award of Merit for Distinguished Service to History. Her well- researched biography, ""The Anandrous Journey, Letters to a Mentor"", detailed the turn-of-last-century South American travel adventures of professor and UW scientist Hattie Bell Merrill. As a Life Member of the Wisconsin Academy of Science, Arts and Letters, Lynn was honored to have the introduction to her book on Merrill, one of the Academy's earliest contributors, published along with period photos in the 125th Anniversary volume of the Academy's history.  

Lynn 's artwork was recognized early on. She was one of three art students at East High School selected to design and paint the large scale wall murals that can be seen to this day surrounding the auditorium in Madison's Lapham School. In the 1960s, Lynn taught Adult Education credit courses in Art History at Madison  Area Technical College and the ""History of Basic Architectural Design"" in the Home Economics Department there. She lectured on art history to State writers and artists' groups at the Wisconsin Executive residence and at the Wayland Academy, and she also gave art workshops and classes on the use of illustration materials.  In collaboration with the Director of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, Lynn presented the Academy's entire slide collection in celebration of our Nation's bicentennial year - ""200 Years of American Art"" - at various locations, including the Memorial Union's Great Hall, the Wisconsin Executive Residence and to artists groups.   Lynn was on the Board of Directors of the Madison Art Association and an active member of the Madison Art Guild. She chaired the first Art Fair ""on the Square"" back when artists set up their displays on the Capitol grounds! That year, and in succeeding years, she took first place awards and was named ""most popular artist"" on the Square. She received juried awards for art work in Wisconsin and in touring exhibits throughout the mid-west. Lynn was recognized for her watercolors at Wustum Museum's annual Watercolor Wisconsin, and, in 1976, she won first place in the USA Annual Art Exhibition at the Kennedy Art Center, Washington D.C.  During the 1970s she and a co-owner converted a landmark property into a two story gallery for artists and craftsmen to display their work.   Lynn was a Life Member and Board Member of the Madison Symphony Orchestra League - as chairperson for the Pops Concert; she was called upon to paint large scale scenery for that event. She provided art for the first Madison Arts Ball at the Lorraine Hotel and special drawings for the annual benefit show houses. She was also asked to create a large painted stage backdrop depicting Madison and the campus area for the Civics Club 50th Anniversary celebration at the Memorial Union.   Later, she wrote the 75th year history for the Club. As a member of the Dane County Medical Aux. Board, her article on the organizations history was published, and Lynn designed the mural for the pediatric ward at Madison Methodist Hospital. She wrote articles encouraging medical students to continue in their disciplines. When she was president of the Madison Junior Chamber of Commerce and Cerebral Palsy Board, she wrote illustrated letters to homebound and hospitalized children.  

The history of our state and the preservation of its landmarks were of life long interest and concern to Lynn. As a life member on the Board of Trustees of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Lynn edited news letters and was chairperson for events including the benefit for the Cashin Collection and the Society's first Antique Fair held at Quivey's  Grove. Her watercolors of historic UW campus buildings were sold for benefit in the Society's gift shop. Lynn served on the board of The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America (WI Chapter). She was an early member of Historic Madison Inc. and the Wisconsin Council of Writers. Her research of the history of Iowa Co. led to writing stories and poems that were published in the Uplands Anthologies -- a compilation of works by noted Wisconsin writers. Lynn donated period furnishings to the Dean House restoration Committee and contributed painted portraits of the Deans with accompanying history and photos to the Monona Historical Society. When on the board of the Dane Co. Republican Women, she wrote a Wisconsin bicentennial history and designed the State quilt. Her many hand water-colored patterns were embroidered by representatives from every county in Wisconsin. Lynn was a docent for the Wisconsin St. Executive residence where the quilt was displayed in the Reception Room.  

Lynn took great interest in following the past and present events in the lives of Madisonians who worked to protect the historic and unique beauty of the City she so loved. In later years, no longer able to get to the a.m. meetings at the City Municipal Bldg., Lynn was grateful for friends in the Madison City Landmarks Commission who sent her reports on changes to her beloved City and offered hope to an ""old timer"" -- especially appreciated were updates from Madison historian, Kitty Rankin.  

Since 1971, Lynn and Dr. Ted managed a large Tree Farm in Iowa County. They were members of the American Forestry Assoc. and received awards for Soil Erosion Control and Trout Stream Management. Longtime friends know of Lynn's love of nature, working and walking the land with Ted, her calls to the birds and the joy of exploring habitats of flora and fauna with son Jonathan and her grand children who, along with the trees, were just saplings at the time. She was a member of the Parkwood Hills Garden Club.          

Lynn was baptized and confirmed, a third generation member of Christ Presbyterian Church where she was active in the Service League and a Deacon in the 1980s. While living in Nakoma, she was ""Chief"" of her neighborhood association and active in the Nakoma Welfare League. She enjoyed the choir, was a camp counselor and helped with confirmation classes at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Lynn and Ted were members of Maple Bluff Country Club for 18 years where she chaired the Women's Organization (1980-1981). In 1986, they moved from their home on Lake Monona to a new retirement home on Madison's west side where they were long time members of Blackhawk Country Club. They belonged to the St. Andrews Soc. and enjoyed preparing Scottish High Teas in their home along with holiday Old English feasts and Oktoberfests.  

Lynn enthusiastically shared her interests and abilities. She never failed to express her appreciation for the kindness and generosity of family and friends. She was loyal and was known for keeping life long connections with old school chums.   Her family will miss this truly ""Renaissance"" woman -- author, artist and preserver of family and City history. Given all her accomplishments, she never lost a sense of wonder in small delights.  

Merrillyn is survived by her daughter Lynnan L. (Thomas) Casper of Waukesha; daughter Cindy Hartridge of Vancouver WA; and son Theodore A. (Melissa) Hartridge of Kalamazoo MI; grandsons Thomas Jon (Celene) Casper of San Clemente CA; Jeffrey Loring (Michelle) Casper of Minneapolis MN; Drew (Erika) Hettinger of Torrence CA, and Theodore Hartridge of Boulder CO; grand-daughters Julie (Eric) Davis of Washington D.C. and Kristen Hartridge of Chicago; great-grandchildren Caitlyn and Anna Casper, Adelaide and Basil Casper and Joseph, Colby and Emily Hettinger. Merrillyn  was preceded in death by her husband Theodore L. Hartridge, her son Jonathan Wegner;   her parents D. John Leigh and Florence Hess Leigh; sisters-I-law Mary Lou (George) Banzhaf and Virginia B. Hartridge; brother-in-law Norman (Emily) Wegner; numerous nieces and nephews.  

The family would like to thank the dedicated care-givers who supported Merrillyn during the time she required continuous home care. The family has established a memorial to honor Merrillyn at the University of Wisconsin Foundation, School of Medicine and Public Health -- Inherited Arrhythmia Clinic. c/o U.S. Bank Lockbox 78807, Milwaukee WI   53278.  

Christ Presbyterian Church will hold funeral services March 4, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation at 10:00 a.m.