Martha Peabody Dayton, 90, passed away on April 5th, 2024, at EIRMC due to a sudden illness. She was a wonderful inspiration to her family and friends.

She was born August 27, 1933, to Joseph Steven Peabody and Amy Kent Peabody in Malad, Idaho. Martha was the youngest of four children. Her family moved from Malad, Idaho when she was three years old to Riverside, Idaho. At the age of six, the family moved to Kilgore, Idaho where Martha attended school, grades one through seven. She then moved to Taylor, Idaho where she attended eighth grade. She then attended high school in Shelley, Idaho. Martha's family then moved to Ashton, Idaho just before her senior year. Martha decided not to join her family in their move to Ashton, as she was tired of moving. She took a job with a widow and worked cleaning the widow's home and babysitting to put herself through her senior year.

Martha graduated from high school, then moved to Ashton, Idaho where she worked in the Idaho Bank of Commerce as an assistant bookkeeper for two and a half years. There she met her sweetheart Don C. Dayton III, and they were married in April 1953. They lived and raised four children—two boys and two girls in Driggs, Idaho where they created many happy memories. When her children were all school-age, Martha began her own painting business, painting many homes in the Teton Valley and around Jackson Hole, that lasted 29 years. All of her children were her very best employees.

Martha was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving as Relief Society president, Young Women president, camp director (16 yrs), nursery leader, ministering sister, and many other callings, including a service mission with her husband where they were chaplains at the Teton Valley Hospital for two years. Martha was known for her remarkable testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Martha was an accomplished artist and received many awards through art contests, and sold many pieces including a picture that hangs in a castle in England.

Martha was always known for being up before the sun with a list of "to-dos" that she always accomplished. She was spotted at the age of 88 seal coating her driveway, repairing cracked cement, repairing stucco, hauling rocks, raking, and dumping bags of leaves. She was very conscientious of not being wasteful and would use the same leaf bags repeatedly. Needless to say, she kept an immaculate home and was a wonderful cook.

Her hobbies included oil painting, and golfing—where she ran and loved the seniors league for many years. She loved camping and spending time with her favorite person, Don, her children, and her grandchildren. She attended the temple weekly with her dear friends whom she cherished.

Martha repeatedly said that keeping busy and helping others eased the loneliness she felt while being without her husband, Don.

Martha is survived by her children, Dirk Lee (Samantha) Dayton of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; Dianna Lynn (Stan) Hansen, of West Yellowstone, Montana; Don Carlos (Kellie) Dayton IV, of  Rexburg, Idaho; and Roseann (Drue) Kunz, of Smithfield, Utah. She is also survived by one sibling, Steven Junior Peabody,15 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Don, parents, Steven and Amy Peabody, sisters, LaRue Nelson and Neva Orme, and one grandson, Jaxon Jade Kunz.

A memorial service for Martha will be held on April 27th at 3:00 p.m. at the St. Anthony, Idaho LDS Stake Center. Her family will receive family and friends on April 26th from 5:30 until 7:00 p.m. and again on the 27th from 2:00 until 2:45 p.m. both times at the St. Anthony Stake Center, 247 E. 4th N. Interment will be in the Wilford Cemetery under the direction of Bert Flamm Mortuary.