Martha Louise Hurlburt

Martha was born on January 18, 1960, in Portland, Oregon to Hugh (2001) and Clarene (2014) Hurlburt. She was her “dad’s boy” growing up as she excelled in basketball and softball. She graduated from David Douglas High School in 1978 and attended Seattle Pacific University and Portland State University where she earned her degree in accounting.

After working at an accounting firm for a while, she decided to attend Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland. During this time, she and her family attended Temple Baptist Church in Portland where she worked with high school and junior high youth. This experience helped her realize that her true, life passion was in working with young people.

She earned her teaching degree and taught in the David Douglas School District in Portland before moving to the Evergreen School District in Vancouver where she taught for several years at Riverview, Harmony, and Illahee Elementary Schools. Many students’ (and others’) lives were positively impacted by her creativity, dedication, and caring.

Until her illness, Martha lived an active life with her many friends and neighbors along with her beloved chocolate labrador retrievers. She enjoyed traveling, walking, reading, technology, music, and exploring the outdoors. She was also an avid Portland Trailblazer fan. She often spent summers participating in workshops that enhanced her teaching as well as counseled at Camp Bighorn in Montana where she served on the board of directors.

Martha attended New Heights Church and volunteered in the Tech Department. She was also active for several years with the New Heights Church summer missions team in Martin, Slovakia. She had a definite heart for ministry.

Martha’s deep personal faith in Jesus Christ was the cornerstone of her life. Her goal was to share that passion with everyone around her, and her life reflected that.

Martha is survived by her sister Deena (John) Hahn and nephew James. Many thanks go to her longtime caregiver Dana and her staff for their loving care these past several years. Our world was greatly blessed by Martha’s amazing life and the rich legacy she left behind.

A “Celebration of Life” service for Martha will occur on February 14, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at New Heights Church (Central Campus) at 7913 NE 58th Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98665. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given in Martha’s name to Open House Ministries at https://www.sheltered.org/. Lincoln Memorial Park & Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.