Martha Jane Duncan

Martha Jane Bille Duncan, who lived her entire life in Butte County, California, passed away of natural causes at the age of 91 years on March 28, 2021. Martha was the youngest child of Paradise pioneer and local politician, John Nelson Bille and his second wife, Josephine Ellen Graham Bille; daughter of original settlers of the ridge. Born in Chico on June 24, 1929, she grew up in Paradise with her older half siblings, Lois, George, Hank (Henry) and Bernice. She attended Paradise Grammar School when it was an eight room schoolhouse and often told the story of the day the school caught fire and burnt to the ground. Before the Skyway was built, she travelled by bus down the Oro-Chico Highway to school every day at Chico High School. Martha was active in Rainbow Girls and was a Butte County 4-H All-Star. She graduated from Chico High School and attended Chico State College where she studied art. On March 13, 1949 she married Richard Henry Duncan in Paradise and moved to Chico. The couple enjoyed square dancing and racing pigeons. When not busy as the Cub Scout Den Mother for her older boys' Pack, she continued her passions of painting, drawing and reading. The marriage ended in divorce in 1970. Martha became very involved in the Boy Scouts with her younger sons; she was the scouting coordinator for Troop 3, as well as spending years on the Mt. Lassen Area Council's Eagle Scout Eagle Board of Review. She worked at several local companies including Crosby Paint, McAmis Construction and Duckback where she retired from in 2004. Always the artist, Martha enjoyed quilting, scrapbooking and creating handmade cards for every birthday and decorative tags for every gift. There was not a day gone by without a book on her bedside table. She spent her last decade living in the multi-generational home of her son, Bruce, where she shared her vast knowledge of local history and family genealogy. After the Camp Fire destroyed most of the town of Paradise in 2018, she was grateful to find her childhood home, built by her father, remained completely intact. Martha is survived by her four sons, Gary, Earl (Lori), Rich (Donna) and Bruce (Dawn) Duncan. Also by her grandchildren, step-grandchildren and great grandchildren. Interment will be in Paradise Cemetery with her beloved parents.