Dona Rae (Daniel) Martinez, age 93, was ready to enter Paradise when she gave up her spirit to her Lord and Savior on June 27, 2022. She was born in Tampa, Florida, and her family moved to Jonesboro, Arkansas, at age 5 and considered Arkansas her true home. Her Benedictine education started there and continued at Mount St. Scholastica College in Atchison, Kansas. Upon moving to Dallas in 1950 to become a flight attendant with Braniff Airways, she met and married Reuben David Martinez. She shared her life with him for 54 years before she was widowed in 2008.
She is survived by her 4 children and spouses: Susan Martinez, David Martinez (Megan), Chris Martinez (Gina) and Anna Gonzalez (Ralph). She has 9 grandchildren: David Meacham (Kate), William Fullerton (Christian), Clayton Fullerton, Michael Martinez (Beth Ann), Steven Martinez (Jess), Patrick Martinez, and Gracie, Matthew and Lily Gonzalez. She was also blessed with 4 great-grandchildren: Finley Meacham, Rowe and Harrison Fullerton and Julie Martinez.
Her volunteerism knew no bounds. She helped with the arts, childcare needs, education, the poor and doing various projects with the parishes to which she belonged and the Diocese of Dallas. If we listed everything, it would be ridiculously long and she would find some way to let us know that she was not pleased since she was modest about these things. Some of her most satisfying accomplishments were with ChildCare Dallas, Autistic Treatment Centers of Texas and the DFW Airport Interfaith Chaplaincy of which she served on the founding board. And most recently, St. Vincent de Paul and Ladies of Charity. She believed we should help those most in need. Instead of flowers, please consider a donation to any charity of your choice.
The Rosary will be held at 7pm on Friday, July 8, and the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon on Saturday, July 9, both at St. Rita Catholic Community, 12521 Inwood Road in Dallas. Private entombment at Calvary Hill will follow. Please wear something colorful to the funeral to honor Mom and her love of flowers.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com for the Martinez family.
