Elizabeth Martinez

ELIZABETH R. MARTINEZ

Elizabeth R. Martinez, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend to many passed from this world and onto eternal life on Sunday, December 18, 2022.  She was born in Embudo on July 18, 1951.  She spent most of her life in Santa Fe, where she met her future husband, Danny Martinez at the tender age of 15.  They were high school sweethearts who married, and together raised their three daughters.

Elizabeth (Liz) is preceded in death by her beloved mother, Minnie Gonzales; dad, James Gonzales; cherished daughter, Deanne Martinez; step-sister, Karla Smail; mother-in-law, Catalina Martinez; father-in-law, Sixto Martinez; sister-in-law, Jennie Martinez; and other extended relatives.

She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Danny Martinez; daughters Lori (Jerry), Amanda and wife Sierra; much loved granddaughter, Eliana Martinez; precious granddaughter Nevaeh Chavez-Martinez.

Elizabeth was an only child who married into a lively, loving family of 14 siblings.  She worked at St. Vincent Hospital in the early years.  Elizabeth was very entrepreneurial.  She worked along side her husband Danny for many years at Capital Cycles and Dan’s Cycle Center, which they co-owned and operated together.  They also owned “The Whole Enchilada”, a food truck that sold food in the Santa Fe area.  She also loved flea markets, garage sales, good deals, and selling Fubu clothing.  She was not the type of person to stay still; she was always onto the next adventure.

Although she was employed full time, she was always there to pick up her daughters from school  and shuffle them around to the many after school activities; basketball games, cheerleading, drillette practices, etc.  She also found time to coach cheerleader squads at Kearney Elementary, where her daughters attended school.  During the summer months, to keep the neighborhood kids entertained, she would hold a “summer program” where she would feed the local kids and provided equipment for them to play sports at the park.  In her younger years, she would hold Christmas parties for underprivileged children, providing them with food and gifts to make their holidays special.

Two beautiful parts of Elizabeth’s life were her granddaughter’s Eliana and Nevaeh, both brought her endless joy as she watched them grow.  Elizabeth was a devoted wife who was always willing to cook her husband’s favorite foods for him.  He also remembers that she would always do her best to take care of him when he wasn’t feeling well.  Over the years, Elizabeth always made holidays special by cooking for her family.

Elizabeth was a plain spoken person who said exactly what was on her mind.  She had no filter.  She cursed like a sailor and was never shy about speaking her mind.  Although she was “rough around the edges:, to those who knew her well, realized that she had a giving heart and cared deeply about her family.  Elizabeth’s favorite time of the year was always Christmas.  She would prepare for the holidays far in advance, always decorating her home, putting up a beautiful tree, shopping for gifts and wrapping them months in advance.  She also prepared bags (with necessities) for the homeless people around the holidays.  She was a member of the College Church of Christ.

Thank you to everyone who was a part of our mother’s life; family, friends, neighbors, and caregivers (especially Alex Nolasco).  We are grateful to the wonderful staff at UNM Hospital who cared for our Mother throughout her illness.

Public Visitation will begin at 12:30pm Saturday, January 14, 2023 and services will follow.

A Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 1:00 PM at the Rivera Family Kiva Chapel at 417 Rodeo Road.  Private interment will take place at a later date.

For those unable to attend services, please link on the internet to https://www.viewlogies.net/rivera/P4OeQUe5C?pin=835304 for live streaming of the service beginning at 1:00 PM