Marthelia B. Hargrove

July 20, 1940 - August 03, 2010

Marthelia B. Hargrove, beloved former principal of Costaño Elementary School in East Palo Alto, quietly passed away Tuesday, August 3, 2010 in Santa Clara, CA after a short illness.

She was born in Oxford, NC to Eddie and Zeola Burroughs. She married John Hargrove in July, 1972, and they have made their home in Santa Clara for nearly 40 years.

Everyone knew her fondly as “Marty” and her energy, optimism and love of people gained her many friends.

Marty entered Virginia Union University in Richmond in the fall of 1957 and earned a bachelor’s degree in education. She received a Masters in Early Childhood Education from Virginia State University. She was honored as the Principal of the Year for her services with the Ravenswood City School District as head of Costaño.

Marty taught her students to believe in themselves and in daily morning greetings over the school’s intercom, always reminded them that they were somebody and that they were achievers.

She dedicated her life to the community. She was a longtime member of the Peninsula Bay Chapter of Links, Inc., and provided inspiration and vision to that volunteer organization both as a member and as chapter president. After she left the school district, she spearheaded the Dictionary Project which brought Links members and their husbands into the classrooms to engage third graders in dialog about the use of word references and the project provided each student with their own personal copy.

She was the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, including one of the prestigious Outstanding Black Women Awards from the Mid-Peninsula YWCA of Palo Alto. Marty also served on the Board of Directors for the Mid-Peninsula Girls Club of East Palo Alto.

She is survived by her devoted husband, John Hargrove, her sister Elizabeth Burwell and brother Leonard Burroughs, both of Henderson, NC and a host of other loving family members and friends.

She leaves a legacy of her bright spirit, her love of children and her dedication to their education.

A memorial tribute, quiet hour and viewing will take place Monday, Aug. 9th at 7 p.m. at Jones Mortuary, 660 Donohoe St., East Palo Alto. A funeral and celebration of her life will be held at Antioch Baptist Church, 268 E. Julian Street, San Jose, at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 10th. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Peninsula Bay Links Scholarship Fund for students, 292 Serra Way, #292 Milpitas, CA 95035 or to the MLK Scholarship Fund at Antioch.

Marty’s husband, John, will take her home to her native North Carolina where a service will be held later in the week for family and friends at Shiloh Baptist Church in Henderson. She will be laid to rest in her birthplace in Oxford. ************************************

See two articles from the East Palo Alto Today newspaper in which Marthelia Hargrove was featured.