GREGORIA (MS. GRACE) MARTINEZ
Tue, 2016-05-17 21:56
News Staff
“No eye has seen no ear has heard no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him” -1 Corinthian 2:9
Gregoria Martinez was born August 4, 1921 at El Calaboz Ranch, San Benito, Texas. After 94 years of a life well lived, Grace as she liked to be called went to be in the glorious Kingdom of her maker on May 10, 2016. As the Frank Sinatra song goes she lived it “Her Way”. She survived her husband, Eloy Martinez Sr., whom she married in 1936 when she moved to Pharr, her parents, Juana Montemayor and Domingo Garcia, her brother and five sisters, her parents-in-law Jesusita and Ramon Martinez, her 1st born daughter Olga, her 1st born son Eloy Martinez Jr., and her family friend Edena Cantu. She was the last of her Era that remained in our midst. A force to be reckoned with, our mother was spirited and fiercely independent who lived with “que sea lo que Dios quiera” faith. It was this faith which carried her through her trials, sufferings and joyous blessings. A regal, self assured and determined woman who could accomplish anything. Her work ethic left nothing to be desired. She worked from the age of 14 to 81, 3 jobs at a time if needed. She lived in Des Planes, Illinois from 1954 to 1973, where she worked in factories and Kroger on weekends. Her last 20 years of employment were at Wal-Mart on Jackson in Pharr where her coworkers were her 2nd family. She was the proud resident of Pharr South for 30 years. Her rum cakes at “coffee” were famous. She loved her St. Jude Parish and Pharr community. She loved dancing, riding in her golf cart, wearing pretty hats, gambling in Vegas or anywhere. Voting and making donations to the Veterans and Children’s home were very important to her. She traveled extensively. God blessed her with very good health throughout her very long life. To the beautiful people of Pharr South and Wal-Mart we say thank you for the joy you shared with our mother Grace. She loved her San Benito Family, the Garcia and Martinez families and of course US, her survivors; Yolanda and Rene Garcia, Diana and Frank Abboreno, Marie and James Campbell M.D., Rudy and Dalia Martinez, grandchildren, Rene, Robert and Mari, Richard and Norma Garcia, Joseph, Sam and Jennifer Abboreno, Michael and Tracy Evans, Jackie, Jason and Gina, and Jeffery Campbell, and her 17 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. We want to thank Briarcliff Center especially 600 Hall Staff for their compassionate care, Selah Hospice and her caregiver and friend Antonia Cancino. Visitation was held from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., with a 7:00 p.m. rosary Thursday, May 12, at Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan. A funeral mass took place at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 13 at St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Pharr. Funeral services were under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan.