Martha Gloria Luna

On October 28, 2022, Martha (Mapi) Luna passed away peacefully a few days shy of her 75th birthday surrounded by her loving friends and family. She was a beloved wife, matriarch, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, hero, companion and friend.

Born to Mauricio and Amparo Madrid on November 9, 1947, Mapi was one of 11 children. She cared deeply for her family and at a very young age took on the role of helping her mother raise her siblings. She did this not out of obligation, but because of who she was, a loving, caring woman who spent most of her life thinking of others.

She was a class of 1967 graduate of Jefferson High School and turned down a scholarship in journalism to UT Austin because she always prioritized her family above everything else. At an early age, she worked various jobs to provide for her family. She held clerical positions at the El Paso County Courthouse, Jefferson High School and Immigration Office. Naturally a leader, and a little bit bossy, she worked as a supervisor at Grants. She worked most of her life in retail working at Montgomery Wards, then Foleys, and finally retiring from Macy's.

Mapi was a devoted wife to her high school sweetheart Javier, together they celebrated 49 years of marriage filled with love, happiness and devotion to each other. They were inseparable and shared many memories of school dances, football games, baseball games, and holidays together.

Mapi was an extraordinary mother to two beautiful daughters, Leticia (Lety) and Rebecca (Becky) and two grandpuppies, Titan and Eddy. Her daughters were her entire world. She sacrificed so much to create a better life for them. She stressed the importance of education and her strength, beauty, resilience and love shaped them into the women they are today. She instilled confidence and independence in her daughters through her tough, unconditional love. Although, she was only a biological mother to two daughters, many considered her a surrogate mother as she helped shape so many lives.

Mapi was loved by so many. Known by family as the “Principal” she was always ready to put you in line if you misbehaved, but it always came from a place of love and wanting the best for you. Her selfless heart is evident in all the sacrifices she made for those she loved. She was kind and humble and was the true epitome of strength. Her spunky and quirky attitude attracted so many and she was always ready to do anything to make you laugh or smile.

Mapi is survived by her beloved husband, Javier, and her cherished daughters Lety and Becky. She is preceded in death by her parents, Mauricio and Amparo, her brothers Jesus (Chuy) Madrid and Robert (Bobby) Madrid, sisters Maria (Cookie) Madrid and Margarita (Margie) Burrola. She is survived by her beloved siblings; brother Daniel (Ernie) Madrid, sisters Mary (Seyna) Bautista, Frances Martin, Rosie Martinez, Sandra Sage-Gorney and Terri Madrid. By marriage she is preceded in death by her father-in-law Manuel Luna, mother-in-law Esperanza Luna, brother-in-law Armando (Mando) Luna, sister-in-law Anita Luna and cousin Socorro Quinones de Garcia. She is survived by in-laws Jaime and Vickie Luna, Hector (Tati) Luna, Lupe Luna, Rafael and Alicia (Lily) Luna and Sergio and Patricia (Patsy) Luna. She also leaves behind many loved nieces, nephews, godchildren, life-long friends and loved ones.

Although she left this earth after a long battle with renal failure and myelofibrosis, she did not lose that battle. She never stopped fighting and held on to her wavering faith. No matter how sick she was, she was always determined to keep going for her family. When anyone else would have broken, she stayed strong. Through her, we know what resilience and perseverance truly look like. Mapi was not a quitter, she was a fighter, and she fought each moment with a smile on her face. Although she is no longer here with us physically, her spirit is ever-present in our hearts. May her light forever shine in the glimmer of our eyes and the setting of the sun.

The Luna family would like to express our most heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Pablo Casares, Dr. Maria Aloba, Dr. Samuel Faith, the Guardian Angel team: Veronica Holt, Christina Madrid, and Erica Ramirez. In addition we would like to thank the handful of exceptional doctors, RN’s, and CNA’s at MD Anderson, Del Sol Medical Center, Texas Oncology, El Paso Integrated, the Hospitals of Providence and Infusion Clinic, and all of the staff at Davita Loma Vista. We would also like to thank all of our family and friends for the continued love and support during this difficult time.

The Luna family would like to invite you to join them for a memorial service at Hillcrest Funeral home on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm-9:00 pm, rosary service at 7:00 pm. Funeral mass will be Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church at 9:30 am. Interment to follow upon cremation. Wake and birthday/celebration of life to follow mass.