Martha Hope Tennant

TENNANT Martha Hope Tennant, age 90, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on February 3, 2012 at Bridgeport Hospital, Bridgeport, Connecticut. She was born in Florence, SC to Dr. James H. Hope, former SC State Superintendent of Education, and Wilhelmina (Mena) Grimsley Hope who owned the Friendly Cafeteria in Columbia, SC, and later co-owned and operated the Cassena Inn at Pawleys Island, SC. She graduated from Columbia High School, attended Winthrop College and graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1942. She will always be affectionately remembered as "Toar" by her many close friends. Martha was employed by McDonnell Douglas Corporation at Cape Kennedy [now Cape Canaveral], FL and was involved firsthand in the early Mercury and Gemini space programs. She returned to South Carolina in 1968 and was a case supervisor for the SC Family Court system. She was known as a fierce advocate for foster children. An avid duplicate bridge player, she enjoyed traveling to tournaments and was a Gold Life Master player. In her later years, she lived comfortably, surrounded with love and care from her daughter Lou and her family in Monroe, CT. Her sense of humor and unconditional love was evident to everyone she met, and wherever she went, she always had a "grand" time! Martha is survived by her children Loretta Hope Tennant of Crystal River, FL; John Ernst Tennant, Jr. (Lynn) of Gainesville, FL; Martha Louisa Tennant Todeasa (Cornel) of Monroe, CT; and James Martin Tennant (Isabelle) of Georgetown, SC; as well as grandchildren Christopher and Patrick Whelpton; Verity Tennant Petit and Michael Tennant; Marina Todeasa Hayden and Corey, Jamie, and Sophia Todeasa; Meaghan Clark; and Gloria Tennant. She is also survived by five great-grandchildren: Tommy and Taylor Clark; Celena and Lilly Tennant; and Aviana Petit. She was predeceased by her parents; husband John Ernst Tennant; brothers John Christian Hope, James H. Hope, Jr., and Stuart C. Hope; and daughter Dorothy Tennant. Funeral services will take place on Saturday, February 4, at 12 noon at St. Dimitrie Romanian Orthodox Church, 504 Sport Hill Rd., Easton, CT, officiated by her son-in-law, the Rev. Fr. Cornel Todeasa. The viewing will be at the church prior to the service starting 11:00. Graveside services will be held at Greenlawn Cemetery in Columbia, SC on Monday, February 6, at 12 noon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Dimitrie Church Building Fund or to the Thornwell Home and School for children in Clinton, SC. Arrangements in the care of the Lesko & Polke Funeral Home. To sign an online register, please visit www.LeskoPolkeFuneralHome.com