Martha Gayle Hortenstine, 97, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2024, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Born in Richmond, Virginia, she was the eldest daughter of the late Robert Broaddus Gayle and Frances Lefebvre Gayle. She was a 1948 graduate of Randolph-Macon Woman’s College where she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority.

She married Hank, Henry Roberts Hortenstine, Jr. on August 27, 1949 and they remained married for 69 years until his death in 2018.

Her first career was as a bacteriologist, but she later found her passion in teaching in Richmond area schools for 25 years – Southampton, James River and St. Catherine’s.

A life long Episcopalian, she was a charter member of the Church of the Redeemer in Richmond. She played the piano for services there in the early days of the church. She also enjoyed playing her bugle and would call her children home for dinner with “Mess Call.” An avid scout leader, she also served on the Board of Directors of the Richmond Council of Girl Scouts.

Upon retirement Martha and Hank moved to Westminster-Canterbury on the Chesapeake Bay where they enjoyed croquet and she served as Altar Guild chair in the Holy Trinity Chapel. She loved the beach and enjoying meals with her family and friends.

She was predeceased by her husband and her brother, John Lefebvre Gayle. She is survived by her daughter Gayle Hortenstine Greene (John) of Norfolk and son Henry Roberts Hortenstine III (Cathy) of Naples FL; grandchildren Abby Botts (Justin), Scott Greene (Dani), Kristen Joyner (Wesley), Henry Roberts Hortenstine IV (Cassie); great grandchildren Anna and Mason Botts, Samuel Henry Greene, Spencer Joyner and Henry Roberts Hortenstine V; her sisters Frances Allen and Roberta Boyles of Richmond, Virginia, and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held in August. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Wells Theatre  in Norfolk, Virginia.