María Elena DeMartínez

The beloved Maria Elena Cabrera de Martinez, “Nena”, age 86, died on Sunday, September 4, 2011, of natural causes, surrounded by her sons and daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her sister, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was born on March 8, 1925 in San Isidro, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, to Maria Cristina Villarreal and Antonio Cabrera, where she lived with her siblings Maria Teresa (Tere), Ramon, Luis, Juan, Ofelia, Maria de la Luz (Lucita), and Maria de los Reyes.

She married Trinidad Martinez Lopez and they had four children, Maria de Jesus, Rosalinda, Jaime, and Cesar Trinidad. She bravely immigrated to the United States with her children to join her husband as they both sought a better life for the family. They lived in Chicago, Illinois for several years and Nena had very fond memories of her life there, the challenges the family faced, and how they overcame those challenges together. She often talked about that time with her grandchildren. They moved to Texas approximately in 1966 to be closer to their life-long friends and many relatives they still had in Mexico. With another turn of life, Nena found herself in Mexico, again, with her husband, her children, and by then their spouses and children. They all lived close to each other for several, very treasured years, and she lived happily with her husband until his untimely death in July of 1986.

With her great love, strong will, determination, and her ability to overcome adversity, Nena enjoyed her life, her marriage, her family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her wonderful friends, and her travels. She was the center of the family and she will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Rosary Tuesday, September 6, 2011 in the Chapel of Earthman Resthaven. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at St. James Catholic Church, 22800 Aldine-Westfield Rd. Spring, Texas. Rite of Committal will follow at Earthman Resthaven Cemetery.