Our 102-year-old mother, Isabel Montoya Martinez (“La Mama”) was fortunate to have lived a long and fruitful life passed away peacefully on July 9, 2018 surrounded by all her family in the comfort of the home provided by son Avelino and lovely wife Yvonne.
She was born on July 18 in 1916 near Cuchillo New Mexico, on a sprawling ranch home under the skies of the southwest, on desert land that was cultivated to produce food on the table for a robust working family.
As a young woman, her family moved to Truth or Consequences, NM where she met our dad. They were married in St. Ignatius Catholic Church in El Paso, TX. During World War II, our dad served in the army and my mom was able to join him in Dodge City and Wichita Falls, Kansas.
Her husband Enrique Frias Martinez preceded Isabel in death. Our mom is survived by her brother Bill Montoya, her six children, Lina Trillo and her husband Gilbert, Henry R. Martinez, Christina D. Martinez, Avelino A. Martinez and his wife Yvonne, Marlena Martinez-Delgado, Richard Martinez and his wife Debra, fourteen grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Nephews and nieces also survive her.
The family extends special thanks to her present caregivers Maria and Petra, previous caregivers Olivia, Guadalupe, Brisa and Olga. In addition, we thank Dr. Luis Guerra and her Hospice El Paso family Liz Garcia RN and Rosalinda CNA.
Pallbearers: Nephews Jimmy Flore, David G. Trillo, Henry R. Martinez III, and Drew Martinez; grandnephews Andre St. John and Matthew Rodriguez
Visitation will be held Monday, July 16th from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm at Martin Funeral Home Central, 3839 Montana Avenue, with Funeral Service beginning at 11:30 am. Interment will follow at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery at 1:00 pm.
