Martine Marie Langley

Martine Marie Langley, aka Mildred Herron Lempe Born March 2, 1929, passed away June 25, 2008 ,at her home in Los Gatos, California. She died peacefully surrounded by loved ones and friends after a stubborn bout with cancer. Mildred was born to Nola Ball Herron and Ed Herron in London, Kentucky. Shortly after her birth, they divorced. Nola and Mildred then moved to Lockland, Ohio, where they lived in a one-room apartment. While Nola labored as a secretary at Cincinnati Industries by day and cleaned apartment buildings at night, Mildred excelled in school, athletics and the Girl Scouts. Summertime brought Mildred back to the family farms in London, Kentucky, where she enjoyed the idyllic countryside as well as the care and love of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins - a welcome change of pace from the smokey, industrial town of Lockland. Upon graduation from high school, Mildred was recruited for both professional women's softball and college. Two of her teachers recognized Mildred's intellectual and academic promise and succeeded in persuading her to attend college. Although Mildred's mother tried to discourage her from further education, Mildred took a fierce stand and became the first member of the family to enter the university. Mildred earned her teaching degree from Miami University of Oxford, Ohio. Her first job as a 5th Grade school teacher brought her to Dayton, Ohio. She lived in a room at the YWCA and earned $2200 per year. As an inspiring teacher who loved her students, Mildred's classes were very popular and sometimes too large. When the principal asked to transfer some students, one little girl was so determined not to lose Mildred as a teacher that she tied herself to her desk with a jump rope. Mildred married William Richard Lempe in 1950 and gave birth to Carol Ann and William Richard, II. The family lived in Dayton until 1959, when they moved to their first home in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. Mildred continued to teach at Edgar Allen Poe Junior High School and then at Jefferson High School, both in Annandale, Virginia. Her unhappy marriage ended in 1962. Later, Mildred changed her name from Mildred Lempe to Martine Langley. As a single professional mother, Martine worked hard to give her children a good life. Achieving a Master's Degree from George Mason University in Counseling opened the door to a position at West Braddock High School as a guidance counselor, where she remained until her retirement. She was highly respected throughout her tenure as a teacher and counselor. She held a passionate belief in freedom and equality for everyone and never lost her passion for public education as a great force for social justice. Retirement brought Martine to the charming town of Los Gatos, California, to be close to her son, Rick Sutherland, and his wife and children. She enjoyed the California climate, local theatre, shops and restaurants. Her passion for good food and everything beautiful made her a beloved customer everywhere. Martine's children want to thank all those at California Café, Steamers, the Los Gatos Café, Fiori's, the Chocolate Dreambox, the Spa of Los Gatos, Beau Cheveux, La Maison du Café, Fleur de Cocoa, Domus, Papyrus, Talbot's, Chico's, Border's Books, the Maid's Quarters and La Mode for making Martine welcome and beloved, as they became her extended family. Martine is survived by her daughter, Carol Hexner of New York City, son Rick Sutherland, daughter-in-law Lani Sutherland, grandchildren Tom, 19 and Christy, 16. Memorial services are to be held on Sunday, June 29, 2008, at 2:00 pm at the Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos, 16575 Shannon Road, Los Gatos reception to follow at California café, old town Los Gatos. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, 20 Roszel Road,, Princeton, NJ, 08540, (866) 732-3585.