Dianne Martinez

B. Dianne Martinez, 86, passed away on Friday, October 11, 2024 at her residence. She was born on July 21, 1938 to her late parents, Richard Bates (Dick) and Ola Mae Barrett. She married very young and immediately began her family of five children, who she devoted her life to. Unfortunately, she was preceded in death by her precious son, Richard Clark Martinez.

Dianne leaves behind to cherish her memory her four daughters Debra Pena and husband, Rusty; Catherine Navarro and husband, Eddie; Carrie Martinez; and Rebecca Carpentier and husband, Chris; her very special grandchildren Ashley Miller Whittaker, Ashley Neil Robinson, Sterling Robinson Rhodes and Joshua Charles Carpentier and her two great grandchildren Taylor King and Skyler Thompson. Dianne is also survived by her only sister, Sandy Combs and husband, Robert; and her special niece, Paige Gentry Atha. Bonus grandchildren include Lareigh Mast, Lee Ann and Lauren Francione, Lanette Lackey and Michelle Michon and eleven great grandchildren. Numerous nieces, nephews, and other descendents remain to honor her memory.

Dianne worked at her printing career for 19 years. For an additional 28 years, she became a Graphic Designer and worked for her loving friend, Les Gibson, at Gibson Printing. She and Les were like brother and sister and her family will be eternally grateful to Les for loving her and for everything he did for her.

Dianne was an amazing and very strong woman. At age 8, she contacted Polio with Influenza Meningitis, was paralyzed from the waste down for 2.5 months and not expected to live but fooled everyone and made a full recovery. She used her musical gifts by playing clarinet, piano and organ, taught children’s group piano for the City of Baytown and was Music Director/pianist/organist for St. Joseph’s Catholic Church for a combined total of over 50 years. She was written up in Texas Parks and Recreation magazine for developing a technique for teaching piano to children’s group of 10 students on the two pianos at the park’s center.

Dianne was so talented and versatile that she was a Junior High band twirler, was head of publicity for St. Joseph’s Home and School Association, taught baton and lead ladies exercise programs at the Civic Center, was publicity chairman for the first Beautify Baytown Association, became a Girl and Boy Scout leader, and at age 43, became dedicated to physical fitness, becoming a runner, aerobic teacher and weight lifter, changing to Yoga/Pilates at age 68.

But her life’s calling was her undying commitment to being an AIDS volunteer when her son, Richard, passed away in 1987. She trained at the AIDS Foundation in Houston and began the AIDS support group and Care Outreach group sponsored by the Interfaith Care Partners and Trinity Episcopal Church in Baytown. She began volunteering at the Omega House AIDS Hospice in Houston where she was so honored to give hands-on care to AIDS victims for over 27 years on weekends. Though she did not do any of this for recognition, Dianne was awarded the “National Outstanding Volunteer Caregiver of the Year” in 1995 by the Family AIDS Network and was the recipient of the 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2008 “President’s Volunteer Award of Service” for her outstanding commitment to her fellow human beings. In addition, she belonged to the Harris County AIDS Material Review Board to evaluate proper AIDS education materials, spoke at many seminars, churches, and educated many first responders about the facts of the AIDS condition.

All memorial and Celebration of Life events will be held at Navarre Funeral Home,

2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX 77521 on Saturday, October 19, 2024, as follows:

10 – 11 AM: Rosary, 11 – 12 PM: Visitation and 12 – 1 PM: Celebration of Life.

The family wishes to express their deep appreciation for the care she received from Compassus Hospice and their loving personnel.