Blanca Luisa Martinez Martinez de Garcia

Blanca Luisa Martinez de Garcia, 82, passed away peacefully in her home on September 4, 2013 with her family by her side in Cypress, Texas. She was a loving devoted wife, a beloved mother, grandmother and friend.

Blanca was born on September 26, 1931 in Baruta, Venezuela where she was the eldest of eight siblings. She attended college in Baruta and studied Business. During and after attending college she helped run the family clothing and grocery stores. When Blanca was in her mid-twenties, she helped tutor children from the area. Her tutoring was soon noticed by the Priest of the local Catholic Church where she was asked to start a private Catholic school called Colegio Parroquial Nuestra Senora del Rosario. She taught there for seven years and saw the school grow from a handful of children to over 400. The church and school are still there today. In November 1961, she married Hector Rojelio Garcia, an up and coming Polo player from Argentina. In 1962, Blanca and Hector moved to the United States where they prospered and raised their two daughters, Soraya (Sara) Elena Garcia, and Anna Caroyln Herrera.

While in the United States, Blanca worked briefly for a Venezuelan petro company while helping Hector with his Polo career. She mastered the English language and in 1974 she began working for Sears Robuck where she retired from Sears in 1996. She made wonderful friends while working for Sears which she remained close to until her passing. Blanca was also very active in her church and made lifelong friends. Blanca and Hector were fortunate enough to travel to many cities across the United States, Canada, Mexico and south America and made lasting memories together.

Blanca is survived by her husband of 52 years, her two daughters, Sara Garcia and husband Nick Benefiel, Anna Herrera and husband Ronnie, her two granddaughters, Alexandria Herrera and Sophia Herrera. She is also survived by her brothers and sister and many friends.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM with a Rosary at 7:00 PM on Thursday, September 5, 2013 at Earthman Funeral Directors in the Hunters Creek Chapel, 8303 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77024. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 6, 2013 at 10:30 AM at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 6646 Addicks Satsuma Road, Houston, Texas 77084 with interment to follow at the Memorial Oaks Cemetery.

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the following organizations: www.Lbda.org or St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Houston, Texas or Resolutions Hospice foundation mailed to 14521 Old Katy Road #240 Houston, Texas 77079.