Maria "Mili" Josefa Emilia (Piquero Domiguez Vigil Sanchez) Martinez

Mili was born April 7th 1952 in Santander, Cantabria Espana. She was given the name Maria Josefa Emilia Piquero Dominguez Vigil Sanchez. In Spain it is customary to receive a last name from each of parent and grandparent. Mili’s mother was Josefina Dominguez Sanchez and her father was Emilio Piquero Vigil. Each of Mili’s middle names was a variation of her parents names. Josefa after Josefina and Emilia after Emilio. Mili’s dad died in a coal mining accident when Mili was just a baby and her mom started calling her Mili after her daddy. Through the course of her life Mili would gain many other names and titles.

Mili had an older brother but he died when he was only 7 months old. Josefina sent Mili off at 4 or 5 years old to live in her first convent in Comillas, about 30 miles from Santander. At the age of 7 they moved to Vigo in the province of Pontevedra in Galicia, northwest Spain. There she attended another convent until she was 12 years old when her mom became ill and she had to take a job as a maid. Shortly after that they moved again this time to the coal mine country of Asturias which is between Galicia and Cantabria. There she got a job as a house keeper at a seminary. At 14 or 15 Mili moved to Madrid.

Mili loved to hang out with friends and was a bit of a wild child. She reported wanting to dance all night and have her freedom. When she was 17 she met Raymond Smith at a store named El Corte Ingles. She and Raymond had to go through extra steps to be married because Spain was a socialist country and Raymond was an air-force officer. It wasn’t too long before Mili became pregnant with her first child whom she miscarried. Later Mili became pregnant with a second child. On October 11th 1973 Mili became a mother to Brian David Smith.

Mili’s adventurous spirit continued through the next several years. She and Raymond saw much of the world while Brian was young. Within a few months Raymond’s deployment orders changed and she and baby Brian moved with him to the Philippines. While there they lived a life of luxury including more travel and a live in maid. Three years later, Raymond’s orders changed again and the young family moved to the States. Mili was very intelligent and taught herself English by watching Sesame Street. They lived a few different places in Abilene, Texas and finally purchased a home near Dyess Air-force base where Mili met her lifelong friends Bill and Pauline Basket, The house they purchased was just across the street. God tells us in Acts 17:26 “26From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.” It appears God brought her to Abilene so she could meet Bill who was active with the Baker Heights Church of Christ and had a passion for evangelism. Mili was taught about Christ and she was Baptized in 1980. A few happy years followed then Raymond was again deployed to the Philippines. This time Mili and Brian stayed behind because Brian was in school and Mili ran a daycare from her home. Unfortunately, the separation opened a door for problems. After a trip to Spain in desperation to rekindle their love Mili and Raymond filed for divorce.

Mili suffered from depression due to the divorce and forgot her faith. Soon Mili met Milton Jordan they each had teenage boys, they both liked fishing and they both loved football. Mili went to cook with Milton in Jordan’s restaurant. As their relationship grew Mili moved in with Milton in Hamlin, Texas. In addition to working at the family restaurant Mili got a job as a housekeeper in the Hamlin Hospital. After living with Milton for 7 years they got married. Milton and the rest of the Jordan family had a lasting impact in Mili’s life. They taught her how to drive and helped her get both a driver’s license and on November 14th 1996 her citizenship. Becoming an American citizen was one of Mili’s proudest accomplishments. Mili melded into the Jordan family and even after Milton and Mili split in 2002 Milton loved Mili so much.

In August 2002 when her son married Leslie Christine Isham, Mili added Mother-in-law to her list of names. She frequently referred to both Brian and Leslie as her Children. She always hoped they would provide her with grandchildren but when that didn’t happen, she found her “grandchildren” through her third and final husband.

Mili met Benito (Benny) Martinez in a chat room. A short time later Mili moved to Wisconsin to live with Benny. During the time she was with Benny she mostly went by Maria. In May of 2004 they went to Las Vegas and eloped. Mili assimilated into another family. Mili was happy there for a while living the life of fiestas, drinking and partying all the time. Then in 2011 the Leukemia diagnosis changed it all.

Mili tried aggressive treatment for years. She had IV chemo, radiation, intrathecal chemo, oral chemo etc. The only treatment she refused was a bone marrow transplant. God answered prayers and Mili had a miraculous recovery going into remission for 5 years. Shortly thereafter Mili and Benny moved to Abilene, TX. While there Mili re-connected with God. She started going to church again and loved being near her friends the Baskets. During a one year stay in Texas she went back to being Mili. They then moved back to Wisconsin for a year or so until eventually at her relapse she moved in with her son in Colorado for the first time. After more Chemo she had her second remission and her boosted spirits took her back to Wisconsin. Recently Mili relapsed again and moved to her final home in Colorado to spend her last days with her children.

Mili had been married three times, but she only had one son. She loved him. She spoiled him, boasting that she gave him everything he ever wanted. She over-protected him. She held him in high esteem. Mili loved to put her fist up to his face in playful anger. She loved to slap him on the hiney which as an adult Brian was annoyed by. If anyone were to tease Brian by calling him an ugly critter, she was all to fast to correct tell them that he was not ugly. No, in fact, Brian looks just like his mother and she was a beautiful woman. Mili was proud of him and up until the very last day she perked up each time she heard his voice. One can see her love for him in so many photos by the way she looks at him.

Mili was a passionate person. She loved Spain where she was born. She was tall, dark and beautiful. Mili loved seafood and travel and the finer things in life. She liked to cross-stitch, and spend time with those whom she loved. Last Sunday, October 13th she finally let go. It was just a day and a half after Brian’s birthday. But she died on her terms too. Her last meal was Brian’s 46th Birthday cake and her last words were “I love you”. Mili we love you too. Mili left a hole no one can fill, but only God can heal.

Mili is preceded in death by her parents, her brother and her unborn child. She is also preceded by 2 of her 3 husbands and several other family members and friends.

Mili leaves behind her only son Brian David Smith and his wife Leslie Christine (Isham) Smith. Mili also leaves several step children and step grandchildren as well as her first husband Raymond Smith and her good friends Bill and Pauline Basket.