Floraida Martinez

Our beloved spouse, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, friend, Floraida R. Martinez at the blessed age of 92 years young, joined our lord in heaven on August 23, 2023, surrounded by her family.

Floraida R. Martinez was born in Rio Lucio, New Mexico in 1930 to her parents +Epolito and +Eloisa Rodriguez. Floraida was one of eight siblings.

Floraida was a devout Catholic. She belonged to the Carmelitas organization. She volunteered and devoted her time serving at San Antonio De Padua Catholic Church in Peñasco as a Sacrestana, Eucharistic Minister, Lector, and Religious Education Teacher.

Her career calling in this life was to be a teacher. As one of the oldest children, she assisted her parents in caring for her younger siblings along with teaching and guiding them as they grew up. Her first job as a teacher after graduating from high school was at the Peñasco Parochial School she then taught at Ranchos De Taos Elementary. She attended the Saint Joseph College on the Rio Grande (University of Albuquerque) she then transferred to New Mexico Highlands University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Her career path led her to teach at Shiprock, New Mexico where she taught for five years. Floraida was very excited when she began teaching in Peñasco, her hometown. She held many positions, taught various grades, and continued her calling for the rest of her career until her retirement from the Peñasco Independent School System. She always shared stories and had many fond memories of her time as a teacher. Retirement did not stop her, she continued sharing her vast knowledge, especially in the Sciences with her family, friends or anyone who would seek her advice, guidance, and expertise. She had this love of learning and wanted to share her knowledge with others by giving or lending out her books.

Floraida had many interests. She enjoyed gardening and taking care of her flowers. She loved the outdoors. One could always find her outside gardening, tending to her flowers or assisting with the farming tasks. For many years she and her husband sold their award-winning produce at Northern New Mexico Farmers Markets. She was well versed on her Northern New Mexico Hispanic culture from herbs, horno traditions (chicos), remedios, dichos, acequias. She served as the secretary/treasurer for the Rio Lucio South and Middle Acequias.

In her spare time, she loved to read. She enjoyed crocheting scarfs, afghans, quilting, sewing, weaving, making pottery and ceramics. Her creative side was also expressed through making rosaries, bracelets, etc. She enjoyed giving her creations as a token of her love for others.

She loved to bake and cook for her family, relatives, friends, and anyone who would stop by to visit. Her family loved her homemade pizza, prune pastelitos, biscochitos, beans and chicos, mulligan stew, etc. When her family or friends had an event, they would always ask her to bake them a batch of her delicious prune pastelitos. Many wonderful memories come to mind of her delicious food especially when she would arrive with the food to feed her family when out working with the cows or bales.

She enjoyed working on hidden word puzzle books and was very proud of her work when she completed an incredible pattern on her adult coloring books.

Floraida shared a beautiful long life with her husband of 72 years, Tranquilino Martinez Jr. of which they were both blessed with 4 children, 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. She loved spending time with family especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She would always have some small token of her affection and love for them being in the form of a hug, a cookie, a baked good, book, blanket, scarf, rosary, bracelet, money, etc.

To our beloved Mom, Honey, Grandma, Great- Grandma, Sister, Tia, Amiga, Vecina, “La Queremos Mucho!” We were blessed to have had You in our lives, to teach us and guide us. We learned the value of faith from you and dad. We have such great memories of you Mom/Grandma! You will always be remembered “Con Mucho Amor y Carino! We Love You! Vaya Con Dios!”

Floraida is survived by her husband Tranquilino Martinez Jr. and her children: Pablo (Consuelo “Connie”) Martinez, Pedro (Angela) Martinez, Yolanda (Armando) Ulibarri, and Patricio (Yvette) Martinez, Grandchildren: Epolito “Polo” (Perla) Ulibarri, Matthew (Amber) Martinez, Ryan (Alexandra “Lexy”) Martinez, Michelle Martinez, Megan Martinez (fiancé, DJ Casados). Great- Grandchildren: Bentley Martinez and Riley Martinez. Floraida is also survived by her sister Angela Lopez and her brother Jose C. Rodriguez and wife Ruth Rodriguez and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Floraida was preceded in death by her parents +Epolito and +Eloisa Rodriguez, Sisters: +Maria Octaviana and +Juanita Ignacita Rodriguez, Brothers: +Fred, +Hipolito Huibert, +Jose M. E. Rodriguez (Sister-In-Law: +Cora Rodriguez), In-Laws: +Tranquilino Sr. and +Rafelita Martinez, Brother-In-Law: +Tony Lopez, Nephew: +Ernie Rodriguez

Pallbearers: Pablo Martinez, Pedro Martinez, Patricio Martinez, Polo Ulibarri, Matthew Martinez, Ryan Martinez, and DJ Casados.

Honorary Pallbearers: Riley Martinez, Bentley Martinez, and Armando Ulibarri.

Rosary will be recited on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at 4:00 pm led by the Carmelitas and at 7:00 pm led by the Hermanos at the San Antonio De Padua Church in Peñasco, New Mexico.

Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at 11:00 am at the San Antonio De Padua Church in Peñasco, New Mexico with internment to follow at the Martinez Property in Tres Ritos, New Mexico. 

Reception following the internment at the Peñasco Community Center. 

Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home. To share a memory, please visit our website at www.riverafuneralhome.com