Martha Sprague Hurley

Martha Sprague Hurley (1915 -2020) entered into eternal peace with her Heavenly Father in January 2020. She possessed an active, literate and engaged perspective throughout her entire lifetime. She is preceded in death by husband Melvin T. Hurley MD, her parents, former Oregon governor Charles and wife Blanche Sprague, brother and sister-in-law Wallace Arthur and Mary Louise Sprague, brother and sister-in-law John James and Virginia Hurley, nephews Charles, Jared and grandson James Patrick.

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, she moved to the Bay Area in 1933 to attend Stanford University. During her studies towards a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, she met fellow student Melvin Hurley. They were married in 1941. Upon graduation and Mel’s completion of his Naval obligations, they made several short term moves, ending in Boston for his two-year medical fellowship. Later they returned to the San Francisco Bay Area where Mel opened his medical practice in the East Bay and they raised their young family.

Gifted with an ever inquisitive mind, her interests were broad. As a child and young adult, she’d often spend her free time amidst the newspaper operations and employees of her father’s business, The Statesman newspaper in Salem, Oregon. In later life, she would joke she had newspaper ink running in her veins. As a young wife and mother she participated in the routine children’s activities of the day; including her church endeavors and various service and social clubs. These also included PEO and Colonial Dames of America. Imparted with a great fondness for reading, including classics and poetry, Martha passed this along to all generations of the family, even her five great grandchildren. Later in life, she’d voice her pride and appreciation towards all of her family members, embracing their individual and business accomplishments. She deepened her love of the fine Arts with attendance and support in numerous cultural Bay Area outlets, including the San Francisco Symphony, the San Francisco Opera, the Richmond Art Center and the Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Her enjoyment in all forms of the arts grew on numerous trips to Asia and Western Europe, while continually sharing an appreciation of East Asian Art with her husband Mel. A deep faith imparted to her by her parents carried her throughout her life, allowing her to sustain a renewed determination to live life fully and persevere in difficult times. After moving to a peninsula retirement home in 1995, she participated in Bible Study and Vespers classes. She gathered a new group of close friends who shared mutual enthusiasm for bridge, shared meals, an occasional glass of wine and ice cream socials.

She is survived by her daughter Nancy and Jan Willem, son Arthur Timothy and Susan and daughter Janet. Four grandchildren include Annemarie and Mathew, Peter and Julia, Arthur Edward and Anna, John Gordon and Heather and nephew John Arthur and Theresa. Grand nieces include Martha and Timothy, Catherine, Dorothy and Jeremiah and grand nephew Timothy and Joanne. Great grandchildren include Martha, Leonore, Otto, Zelia and Victoria.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Oregon Community Foundation,

“Sprague Family Scholarship Fund” (on memo line)

1221 Yamhill Street, Suite 100 Portland, OR 97205

Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Foundation at Stanford, or a charitable organization of your choice.

A private family service and internment will be held at a later date. The family wishes to acknowledge the compassionate care provided by Minnie Faasolo, Sojurn Hospice Care and Skilled Nursing assistance.