Amada Martinez

Amada (Molly) Martinez was born on March 30, 1928 to Silviano and Antonia Roybal in the village of El Duende.  She grew up in a nurturing and loving home. At an early age she learned the value of hard work, love of family, and the love of God.  She was a devoted Roman Catholic and practiced her faith throughout her life. She was a member of the San Jose church choir, a Mayordoma of the San Francisco Chapel, and a contributor to the Hermanos of the El Duende Morada.

She married the love of her life, Dennie Martinez, on May of 1948 and together built a beautiful family.  They raised their daughters Mary Toni and Pauline, while also providing a home for her siblings Virginia, Pat, Max, and Bernie.

Throughout the years, Molly and Dennie built a cattle ranching operation and a trucking business.  She was noted for the meals she would cook for the ranch hands on the fall cattle drive from the mountain ranges to their farm in Abiquiu.  Dennie often told the story of how Molly would help him repair their trucks by holding a flash light at night and handing him tools. The trucks had to be ready for the next day’s haul.  Molly, in the same fashion, was a light for the rest of the family.

One of Molly's many passions was gardening. A hobby that began early in the spring by preparing the ground, and planting the seeds saved from the previous year. She ardently cared for each plant, weeding and watering until the fall harvest.  Molly has harvested the bounty of an honest and fruitful life. She will be missed, but never forgotten.  She is now in the presence of our loving Father, having passed to a better life on September 10, 2020.

Amada was preceded in death by her parents Silviano and Antonia Roybal, husband Dennie Martinez, brothers Max Valerio and Pat Valerio, sisters Vergina Vigil and Bernie Archuleta, grandson Dennis Maestas, and great-granddaughter Valerie A. Maestas.

Survivors are Amada’s sister Frances Salazar, daughters Mary Toni (Carlos E.) Chacon and Pauline (Rudy) Maestas, grandsons Carlos (Terry) Chacon, Damian (Tami) Chacon, granddaughters Angela Chacon Bernal (Ray) and Andrea (Miguel) Romero, great grandson Adrian Romero, and great granddaughters Kristina Chacon, Claudia Chacon, Amanda Chacon, Sarah Romero, Nicole Romero, Meranda Romero, Veronica Maestas, Ashley Hallet, Kaitey Lancaster, and Laycie Chacon, as well as her great- great-granddaughters Mayha Maestas, Alana Maestas, Leila Maestas, and Emilia Romero.

A Rosary will be prayed at 11 am on Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at Rivera Family Funerals of Espanola. Mass will follow at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church of Espanola at 1 pm, followed by burial at San Jose Cemetery of Hernandez.

The Martinez family has entrusted Molly’s care to Rivera Family Funeral Home of Espanola. Please enjoy and share your stories, pictures, and condolences on Molly’s obituary page at: www.riverafamilyfuneralhome.com.