Maria Victoria Martinez

Maria Victoria (Gallegos) Martinez, May 5, 1931 - April 17, 2020. Was born in Pueblo Colorado on May 5, 1931 to the union of Julian and Francisca Gallegos. At an early age she was thrown into the role of mother and homemaker in order to care for her entire household which included her younger brother and father who, continued to work and support them after the death of her mother. She would tell her children stories of how she would sit at her windowsill, watching the children she once attended Bessemer Elementary school with, having fun playing outside. Since that time, it was a dream of hers to complete her education and with the support of her husband and family, she graduated Pueblo Central High in 1977, she was proud to be a Wildcat and later attended Southern Colorado Junior College.

In her fulfilling life of 88 years she told her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren stories of being a wrestler, race car driver, pirate, doctor, lawyer and an Indian Chief. These stories were meant to inspire them to be anything they wanted to be. She would often refer to herself as the “last of the Mohicans” as she was the last of the Gallegos children to join her parents in the afterlife.

Maria was a champion of Daimoku and Gongyo, as she practiced Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism since 1975. She loved to share the Buddhism beliefs with everyone in her life. Maria was a member of the Silver Sneakers. She loved to participate in Tai-Chi, Yoga, Aerobics, water aerobics and meet with her dear friends at the YMCA. She cherished those friendships. She was the founder of her neighborhood watch and loved taking her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren for family game nights of bowling. Maria was affectionately known for her delicious cooking and named her kitchen Maria’s Messy Kitchen. She fed many of her children’s friends, neighbors, family members and even people she didn’t know but were down on their luck. Maria was proud of her Bessemer background and the heritage in which she was raised. On her travels she would tell people she was from Pueblo, CO the “Home of the Heroes” <3

Maria is survived by her 5 children: David (Carol) Martinez, Thomas Martinez, Marina Flores, Julienne (Gary) Johnson, Duemece Aragon (Rachel Anderson). Grandchildren: Desiree (Rafa) Sandoval, Justine Rosales, Kendra Gomez, Eljon (Cheryl) Marquez, Ryan (Crystal) Martinez, Brittany (Zack) Mascarenas, Robby Marquez, Stevie Johnson, Davey Martinez, Devan (Ryan) Segura, Joie Flores, D. W. Aragon, Dylan Aragon. Great Grandchildren: Ariel Rosales-Bass, Angel Pena, Gracie Sandoval, Andre Sandoval, Emily Marquez, Zachary Mascarenas, Jailene Montez, Kloey Efhan-Kaneholani, Asia Mascarenas, Charlee Rosales, Theia Mascarenas, Olivia Martinez, Jacob Merdzinski, Vayden Segura, Lucia Mascarenas, Robbie Leonardo Jaylene and Danny Gomez. Sister- in- laws: Petra Gallegos, Hilda Gallegos, Rose Gallegos and many wonderful nephews and nieces whose phone calls and visits made a tremendous impact in her final days.

She is preceded in Death by her husbands, William Martinez, Mark Lopez, and good friend Carlos Saenz, parents Julian and Francisca Gallegos, Son- Bernal Martinez, Grandson – Robby Marquez, Siblings – Mike (Mary) Gallegos, Salvador Gallegos, Julian Gallegos, Raymond Gallegos, Lupe (Joe) Santos, Alice Fierro and Josephina Gallegos.