Virginia A (Aguirre) Martinez

May 21, 1939 – September 1, 2018

“Everyone’s friend. A beautiful life came to an end…

She died as she lived, everyone’s friend.”

Every time a bell rings an angel gets her wings. On Saturday, September 1st there was a symphony of bells ringing as our mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend Virginia Martinez got her wings.

We know she is in heaven wearing purple and dancing with her husband Pablo Martinez, catching up on words left unspoken. We rejoice in the knowledge that she lived a great life filled with love and adventure and always on her terms.

Her straight talking wisdom has carried us all far and wide as she taught us many of life’s lessons and helped us get through challenging times.

She loved to dance and travel the world, but her most treasured moments were spent teaching her grandchildren her secret enchilada recipe then taking shots of tequila or teaching her granddaughters how crochet and knit.

Her grandchildren often sought refuge and counsel from her, knowing she was always ready with her legendary taquitos, welcoming hugs, hearty laugh, but most importantly unconditional love. Most recently, the greatest light in her heart were the great great-grandchildren who gave her nothing but sheer joy.

We were not the only ones who loved every minute of it. She thoroughly enjoyed making new friends, yoga, electric slide, and English lessons at the Grandview Senior Center where her friends filled her days with laughter, kindness and companionship.

We appreciate her new and lifelong friendships, especially her neighborhood family who helped keep her safe and supported through the years.

We will remember her best as someone who believed, “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

She will be dearly missed and not forgotten by her daughters Maria Cornejo (Jose Mario), Guadalupe Vega (Benjamin), Sofia Ramos (Juan), Virginia Herrera (Sergio) and son Jesus Martinez (Holly), her grandchildren Erica Cornejo (Juan), Marisa Vega (Francisco), Alejandro Vega, Benjamin Vega Jr., Marta Elena, David Vega (Gloria), Kristian Ramos (Galia), Nikolas Ramos, Paulavirginia Novo (Anel), Shelby Branch (Andrew), Lillyanna Herrera, Lupita Herrera. Her great grandchildren, Alejandra, Isabella, Julie, Julian, Lily, Idaly, David Jr., Emilio Julio Vega, Ignacio Salcido, Valeria Ramos, Tiana Branch, Eden and Santiago Cornejo-Enriques, her dear brother Ruben Aguirre and sister Gloria Aguirre.

An honorary mass will be held on Wednesday, September 5th at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church at 12:00 pm, 2709 Alabama St, El Paso, TX 79930.