Martha Shelby

Martha Langley Shelby, 86, of Eastport, MI passed away on October 19, 2023 at The Birches Assisted Living in Clarendon Hills, IL after a year of declining health. 

Martha was born on February 22, 1937, coinciding with George Washington’s birthday. This inspired her parents to name her Martha, in honor of George Washington’s wife. She was born in Staley, North Carolina, the daughter of Clark and Lucille (Patterson) Langley.

She lived in Bowie, Maryland where she taught Physical Education at Belair Junior High School, Samuel Ogle Middle School and Bowie High School from 1963 until 1996 for the Prince County Public School system. She received her undergraduate degree from Elon College and then her Master’s degree in Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Attending UNC sparked her lifelong passion for the Carolina Tarheels basketball program. She lived for the thrill of March Madness and always picked the Tarheels to win it all, even in years when they had no realistic shot. 

She loved spending summers at Torch Lake in Michigan and enjoyed golfing, playing tennis, doing yoga, and spending time with her grandchildren. She and her husband, Paul, also frequently traveled with the Annapolis Ski Club on ski trips to Canada and out west. She had a wonderful outlook on life as well as being very active. Martha always told her children to embrace change because with change comes opportunity. It was a chance for growth. 

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Paul Shelby, her two children, Jill (Thomas) Assicurato of Clarendon Hills, IL and Matthew (Kathryn) Shelby of Holly Springs, NC; four grandchildren, Dean and Grace Assicurato, and William and Alexander Shelby; siblings Joe Langley (Becky) and Johnny Langley (Jenny) and a large extended family.

In addition to her parents, Martha was preceded in death by her siblings Linda, Floyd, Paul, and Gattis Langley, Emma Castelloe, Magdalene Wright and Katie Stone.

A celebration of life will take place on Wednesday, August 7th at 4pm at their cottage on Torch Lake with a burial the next day at 10am in Lakeview Cemetery, Torch Lake Township.

Memorial contributions may be made to Help From My Friends Pet Crisis Center, 3605 S. Derenzy Rd., Bellaire, MI, 49615.

Arrangements are in the care of the Central Lake Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.

 Online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.