Helen Marie Galvan Martinez

Helen is survived by her son, Francisco Miguel Galvan Martinez.

She is also survived by her sister, Anna Hammer, and her significant other Edward Van Noy; her brother, Daniel Galvan, and his wife Becky; her brother, Ruben Galvan, and his wife Estelle; her cousins Alice Rodriguez-Lee, Carmen Perez Galvan, Jerry Hernandez, Pedro Perez Galvan, Richard Rodriguez, Adriana Perez Galvan, Maria Del Carmen Perez Galvan, Guillermo Perez Galvan, Roberto Perez Galvan and his wife Patricia Arevalo, Ron Rodriguez, Dina Rodriguez, Martin Perez Galvan, Maria de la Paz Matilde Galvan, Pilar Perez Galvan, Lucila Galvan Granados Patricia Galvan, Nicolas Galvan Granados, Jesus Gerardo Galvan, Nicolas Galvan Rivera, Paz Granados Delgado, Antonio Perez Galvan, Alberto Perez Galvan and his wife Margarita Rojas, Jose Guillermo Perez Galvan; her compadre Edward Hampton Hammer Jr.; her goddaughter/niece Candida Marie Hammer; her godsons/nephews, Nathan Hammer and his wife, Gloria, Anthony Hammer and his significant other Christine, Michael Galvan, and his wife Rocio; godsons/great-nephews, Marcos Hammer, Martin Hammer; her goddaughter/great-niece, Victoriana Hammer; her goddaughter Lisa Danielle Aguilar and her husband, Trinidad;

Her nephews and nieces, Nicolas Hammer, and his significant other Diana, Joseph Galvan, Adam Galvan, Ruben Galvan Jr., James Galvan, and his wife Rhonda, and Robbie Galvan, and his wife, Yolanda, Manuel Perez Galvan and his wife Adela Castro Nieto, Claudia Perez Galvan, Luis Adrian Ramirez Perez and his wife Karla Galicia, Gaby Perez Galvan, Luis Fernando Perez Ramirez, German Perez Arevalo, Omar Perez Galvan, Laura Estefania Perez Arevalo, Manger Perez Daniela Valdez Perez, Mariana Valdez Perez, Rebeca Perez Galvan, and Heidi Perez Galvan, Diego Fragoso Galvan, Erick Fragoso Galvan, Gabriela Perez Galvan and her husband Luis Rojas Ocana, Gerardo Roberto Galvan Coria, Eduardo Galvan Luna, Hector Miguel Aguilar Perez, Brenda Perez Galvan, Angela Echemendia Galvan, Jesus Uriel Galvan Alamazan, Daniel Galvan Alamazan, Rita Galvan Coria, Ruben Omar Perez Arevalo, Martin Gerardo Perez Galvan, Maria Del Pilar Perez Galvan, Mariagna Perez Rojas, Rebeca Perez Rojas, Heidi Nathania Perez Rojas.

Her great-nephews and nieces, Lea McCue, and her husband Joey, James Cardenas, Adriana Hammer, and her significant other Gabriel Castillo, Mateo Hammer, Ximena Ramirez Galicia, Joseph Diaz, Julian Galvan, Mylo Galvan, Angelina Galvan, Alexandria Galvan, Ralph Yellow Cloud Aguilera, James Galvan Jr., Alyssa Galvan Tristan Galvan, Eilan Galvan , Pedro Perez Galvan, Adriana Perez Galvan, Antonio Galvan, Matthew Galvan, Noah Galvan, and Ryan Galvan, Adrian Galvan, Ralph Aguilera and her great-great nephews and nieces, Gabriel Rene Castillo Jr., Olivia Anarae Castillo, Kaia McCue, Montserrat Perez Nieto, Daniel Perez Nieto, Elizabeth Heidi German Perez Gonzalez, Alan German Perez Gonzalez, Camila Shantel Perez, Cesar Roberto Lescieur Perez, Matthew Galvan, Fernanda Rojas Perez, Paola Rojas Perez, Luis Rojas Perez, and Ainhoa Sofia Miranda Perez.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Antonio R. and Victoria R. Galvan; her husband, Michael James Martinez; her baby sister, Helen Galvan; and her niece, Juliana Galvan.

Helen was kindhearted, a warm, and loving person. She was always there for her loved ones. She would take care of and often put others first. When called upon, she answered. A devoted mother. An authentic friend. She was fun, kind, patient, determined, and adventurous.

Spending over 33 years working at the campus, she made her career at Fresno State. She began as a Clerical Assistant II for the Migrant Services department in June 1988. Throughout her career, she would be promoted multiple times, starting with Clerical Assistant III in January 1990. Five years later she was promoted to Clerical Assistant IV. On July 1998 she would join the Division of Graduate Studies. Her job changed to Administrative Support Coordinator July 1999. Finally, she was reassigned to an Administrative Analyst/Specialist in June 2001. Then, in 2010 began working in the Lyles College of Engineering. She would spend her last nine years in LCOE as the academic and administrative services lead in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

She loved cooking, often trying her hand at new dishes. She volunteered her time at Artes Americas. She loved gardening. She loved music and was an avid concert goer. She was a great storyteller. Helen crotched, painted, and wrote poetry. She continued to work through the 3 years and 3 months, battling her cancer openly and gracefully. Devout in her faith, she embraced adversity and smiled through the dangers she faced.

She loved her family and friends more than anything. She cherished her ancestral roots and revered her elders and family. She was easy to talk to and a shoulder to lean on for many.

Through it all, her work ethic, compassion, humor, and faith never wavered. Helen was driven by her dedication and mission to enrich the world by helping the students of Fresno State go on to achieve their goals and dreams. In her final year she often said, “Confio en ti Jesus” believing whole heartedly in God’s plan. She will be missed so much as she touched the lives of so many people.

A visitation for Helen will be held Tuesday, November 30, 2021, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. with a recitation of the Holy Rosary following at 6:00 p.m. at Whiteherst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 836 E Nees Ave, Fresno, California.

An additional recitation of the rosary will be held on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. with a mass of Catholic burial following at 10:30 a.m. at St. Helen’s Catholic Church, 4488 E Belmont Ave, Fresno, California. Interment will follow at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery, 264 N Blythe Ave, Fresno, California 93706.

Serving as pallbearers: Nathan Hammer, Nico Hammer, Anthony Hammer, Michael Galvan, Marcos Hammer, Martin Hammer; her nephew Mateo Hammer; and beloved family friend Matthew Artiaga.

Through it all her work ethic, compassion, and faith never wavered. Helen was driven by her dedication and care for her family. She made it her mission to help the students of Fresno State go on to achieve their goals and dreams. By being there for others she impacted the world. In her final year she often said, “Jesus, en ti confio.” Casting all of her fears and doubts aside, whole heartedly believing in his plan, she placed her faith in God’s hands, walking the path he laid before her.

We love Helen and as she has walked into the kingdom of God we will always hold her close to our hearts. We thank you all for your love and prayers, as we grieve and celebrate Helen’s life.