Martha Villiger

Villiger, Martha Gutierrez 87, passed away at home on March 26, 2025. A proud Tampa native, she was born in November 1937 at Tampa General Hospital to Mario and Leona (Eneas) Gutierrez, the youngest of eight siblings.

Martha cherished her West Tampa roots and attended the “original” Jefferson High School where she became the first in her family to graduate high school in 1956. She was always a trail blazer! She worked at the Ybor City Hardware Store, Knight & Wall, and Sears in the automotive department. It was at Knight & Wall where she met “John”, her Yankee, blue-eyed beauty whom she absolutely adored. She saw his quiet strength and brilliance and never looked back. They were married in 1960 at First United Methodist Church in Tampa. They raised two daughters, Barbara and Susan, before his passing in 1995.

Beyond her own children, Martha lovingly helped raise her nieces Denise and Donna and nephew Mario. She was a proud grandma to Mollee, Abigail, Emilee, Andrew, and Isabella, and a great-grandma to Jeremiah.

A true hometown sports fan, Martha cheered passionately for all the Tampa Bay teams. She was affectionately known as “Aunt Martha” to so many families and friends, including her beloved niece Marlene Gutierrez, who was always there for her.

Martha is survived by her daughters Barbara (Majure Ronnie) Chisholm, Susan (Paul “Leo”) Leonardo; her grandchildren Mollee (Shawn) Duran, Abigail (Christian) Antonini, Emilee Chisholm, Andrew Leonardo, and Isabella Leonardo; and her great-grandson Jeremiah Duran, along with many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, April 3, at 12:00 noon at Myrtle Hill Memorial Park Cemetery, 4202 E Lake Ave, Tampa, FL 33610.