Rafaela Martinez

Rafaela (Serrano) Martinez was born in Lakeview, CA on October 24, 1931, to the parents of Jesse and Frances Serrano. She passed away on March 4, 2025, after a brief illness. Rafaela was raised in San Bernardino, CA, where she lived on Kingman Street, and at the age of 16, she met the man of her dreams, Angel Martinez. She graduated from San Bernardino High School in 1951, followed by her marriage to Angel on June 16, 1951. Together, they raised a family of five children, named Joyce, Angeli, Jane, Leonard, and Dolores. From 1974 to 1989, Rafaela worked at Rialto K-Mart in the purchasing and merchandising department. She greatly enjoyed her K-Mart years, and after her retirement in 1989, Rafaela lived her life doing the things she loved most: shopping, traveling, entertaining, and caring for and spending time with her grandchildren and loved ones. She and Angel were involved with Marriage Encounter and the Cursillo, and were also members of the Knights of Columbus.

Rafaela loved crafting, sewing, playing bingo, going to the casinos and turn-around trips to the State Line, and cooking. She was well known for her delicious Christmas tamales, which was her favorite time of the year. She traveled to Hawaii, Mexico, and across the United States. She had longed to be in the Peace Corps, which is why she always helped others in their time of need. Rafaela was preceded in death by her eldest daughter, Joyce Donna Martinez, who died on May 22, 1977. She leaves behind her loving husband, Angel, her four children, a son and daughter-in-law, nine grand-children, fourteen great grand-children, and one great-great grandchild, along with her sisters, Margaret, Chelo, Chayo, and Corky. Our mother was a pillar of strength, a presence to all who loved and cherished her. She will be greatly missed, though knowing she is at peace and with her daughter, Joyce, brings us some solace in her passing.

The Rosary will be held on Tuesday, March 18, at Mountain View Mortuary from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be held on March 19, at St. Catherine of Siena Church, in Rialto, at 11:00 a.m, followed by the burial at Mountain View Cemetery. Reception will follow at the Knights of Columbus, 2392 Western Ave., in San Bernardino. We love you, Mom.