Martha Bellinger Obituary

The Honorable Martha E. Bellinger, a trailblazing jurist and advocate for the vulnerable, passed away Feb. 12, 2026, in Claremont, CA, after a battle with Leukemia. Known for having the "mind of a lawyer and the heart of a pastor," Martha's life bridged spiritual service and justice.

Raised on an Upstate NY dairy farm, Martha studied at Syracuse, Princeton Theological, and Oxford before earning her J.D. from Whittier Law School. Her historic career included serving as a Deputy D.A. and authoring a significant U.S. Supreme Court amicus brief. In 2005, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed her to the L.A. Superior Court, making her the first "out lesbian" appointee of a Republican governor. A charter member of the International Assoc. of LGBTQ+ Judges, she later served as Supervising Judge of the East District Delinquency Courts, focused on youth rehabilitation.

In retirement, she authored From Robe to Robe and The Two Ruths. Martha is survived by her devoted wife of 42 years, Pam; the couple was among the first 2,000 legally married in California on July 7, 2008. She is also survived by her sister, Jane Golden, and a loving extended family of nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Cora and Raphael Bellinger, and her sister, Mary Lees.

Private Memorial at Sea in Monterey Bay. Donations in her memory may be made to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust USA, 25283 Cabot Road, Suite 101, Laguna Hills, CA 92653, +1 (949) 305-3785.