Martha Kathleen Harkey, 69, of Ridgecrest, California, passed away on Sunday, 26 July 2026 at Loma Linda University Medical Center after a brief illness. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, educator and friend. She was born in Long Beach, California on 20 January 1957 to Melvin and Tobi Thompson, and was the fifth of eight children. Martha graduated from Edison High School in Huntington Beach, California, and received an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts and Arts and Humanities from Cerro Coso Community College in Ridgecrest, California. She was a 20-year employee of the Sierra Sands Unified School District as a Paraprofessional and retired from working at Sherman E. Burroughs High School in 2011. Martha dedicated her life to her family and to being an educator. She was married to Robert for 43 years and was the mother of three children, Daniel, William and Laura. Martha loved to cook, sew, paint, go camping and go on road trips. She found joy in her career as a paraprofessional and in working with her students. Whether she was at home or in the classroom, she enjoyed the company of others and family, and she had a knack for bringing people together. Martha is survived by her husband, Robert, her three children, Daniel (Ani), William, and Laura (Bradley), as well as her seven grandchildren, Tristan, Taylor, Connor, Edward, Sylvia, Skyler, and Henry. She was preceded in passing by her parents, and six of her siblings, Theresa, Christine, Patrick, Juliana, John and Lawrence. 

A funeral mass for Martha will be held at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Ridgecrest on Saturday, 8 August 2026 at 9:00 AM, followed a brief graveside service at Desert Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please provide a donation to Catholic Charities. Martha will be dearly missed by her family and friends. The family thanks you for your support and asks that you share this memorial with anyone who was touched by Martha’s life.