Juanita Rufina Martinez

Soon after graduating from St. Mary’s High School she ventured alone to Denver, where she attended Barnes Business College and lived at St. Rose’s Residence for Women on 10th Street, now a part of the Auraria Campus. There she became a parishioner of St. Cajetan Catholic Church and worked at the Parish Credit Union as well as at a movie theater. She soon met her future husband, Gilbert Martinez (now deceased). They were married in 1954 and began to raise a family in north Denver.

She insisted on sending her children to St. Cajetan Grade School and, in order to be near to them, was trained and certified in School Cafeteria Food Management. After that she worked and retired from Mountain Bell as a 411 Operator and CWA Union Member. In the 1980’s she and Gilbert opened Juanita’s Mexican Deli on W. Alameda which was very successful for 28 years.

Following a move to Southwest Denver, she became very involved with All Saints Catholic Church as a Catechist, a member of the Lydias, and an occasional Funeral Committee helper. Through the years, she was always busy enjoying and helping to raise her beloved seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Juanita had six siblings who all pre-deceased her. They are Richard, Mateo, Alejandro, Julietta, Venceslao, and Alfonso. All five brothers served in the military; Venceslao (Ben) retired from the Marines.

She is survived by her children, Eileen Whaley (Glen), Jacqueline Wells (David), Mark Martinez (Beverly) and Ernestine Landeros (Ron). Her grandchildren, Heather Quinonez (Jose), Lucas Whaley (Jennifer), Aaron Wells, Stacey Clarke (Patrick), Eric Martinez (Ashley), Julietta Landeros (Michael), and Gilbert Alexander Landeros. The great-grandchildren are Jayden and Nathan Burgos, Allison, Elijah, and Isaac Clarke, and Jaxon Whaley. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Donna Hernandez of Kansas, nephew Rodney Hernandez (Andrea) of Kansas, Kim Faynik (David) and great nephews Jacob, James and John Faynik of Minnesota.

She is also survived by countless members of the Martinez family whom she loved and many friends that became like family throughout her life journey. She passed away peacefully in her home on November 6, 2022.