Carmen L. Martinez

Carmen L. Martinez, age 83, from Las Vegas, New Mexico passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends at her place of residence at Meadows Evergreen, in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Carmen was born to the late Feliciano Armijo and the late Catalina Quintana, she was raised by Feliciano Armijo and Carlota Maes in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Carmen attended school at Las Vegas High School in 1954. She married on November 12, 1955 to the late Valentin Martinez. They had three children, Valerie, Sonia and Steve. She was preceded in death by her husband Valentin Martinez, granddaughter, Andrea Valdez, father Feliciano Armijo, mother Carlota Armijo, brother Tommy Armijo, sister Dorothy LaVoie and niece Carla Armijo. Carmen and Val moved to California where she worked at the May Company for several years and then became a housewife. They moved to Las Vegas, New Mexico so Val could further his education in teaching at New Mexico Highlands University where he received his Masters. Carmen worked for Eddie Rice as a Public Accountant for many years til Mr. Rice passed away then she went on to work for Larry Johns until her retirement. After retirement Carmen moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico to live closer to her son Steve Martinez where she lived for several years and worked with Tim Hernden, Pediatrician as an accountant. Carmen then moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico where she worked at Long John Silvers and Volunteered for Roadrunner until she retired completely. Carmen is survived by her children Valerie Sanchez and Albert, Sonia Valdez and Joseph, Steve Martinez and Lila, Grandchildren, Christopher Martinez, Tanya Valdez, Joseph Valdez, Jr. and Kayla, Ruthie Creel and Kevin, Daniel Valdez and Vanessa, Estevan Martinez, Letticia Martinez, Great Grandchildren, Valaree Martinez, Krystina Martinez, Aiden Bitker, Bishop Shakur Valdez, Trinity Martinez and Zaylee Valdez, Special Cousins, Connie Lopez and Barbara Perea, Brothers, Leroy Duranslet and Young of California and Feliciano Armijo Jr., and Melinda of South Carolina, Sister-in-law, Josie Martinez of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Carmen was a strong woman, she was always sharing from her heart and her good works, she worked for our lord and cared so much for others her entire life. She loved to cook and share whatever she cooked with everyone and the especially the less fortunate. She is known for her love of dancing and she loved working and helping out with activities at Evergreen with the employees and residents. She thought she was employed there, but always wondered why she was never paid. Carmen was very friendly, a talker and was always smiling and trying to make everyone she came in contact with to be as happy as she was. Carmen will be forever missed but never forgotten. Pallbearers: Albert Sanchez, Joseph Valdez, Christopher Martinez, Joseph Valdez, Jr., Daniel Valdez, Estevan Martinez, Kevin Creel, Aiden Bitker, Bishop Shakur Valdez, Feliciano Armijo Jr., and Leroy Duranslet. Honorary Bearers: Nursing Staff and Employees of Meadows NMBHI, Evergreen Unit and Residents Living and Deceased. Services are by Rivera Family Funeral Home, Espanola, New Mexico, where cremation will take place. Rosary and Mass will take place at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, 403 Valencia Street, Las Vegas, New Mexico 87701 on Saturday, January 13, 2018, Rosary at 10:00 a.m. and Mass to follow, Interment will take place at a private ceremony at a later date. The family of Carmen L. Martinez wish to extend our sincere gratitude to the staff, nursing staff and activity staff and all other staff at Meadows, Evergreen Unit for taking such wonderful care of our mother Carmen, she was truly loved by everyone, to Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Father Rob Yaksich, and Rivera Family Funeral Home, Espanola, New Mexico.