Helen Martinez

Helen P. Martinez passed away peacefully in her home on Friday, April 23, 2021. Waiting for her in heaven were both of her grandparents, Tita and Papa, parents, Alfonso and Lucinda Padilla, sister, Sally Martinez, brother, Gilbert Padilla, son, Charles Martinez, grand-daughter Amanda Martinez and several other family members and loved ones. She leaves behind many incredible memories with her daughters, Yolanda Ortega and her husband, Robert Ortega, Diane Drexler and her husband, Andy Drexler, her brother Joseph Padilla and his wife, Jacqueline Padilla, her 7 grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, family members and friends.

She was born in Las Vegas, New Mexico on May 20, 1938 and was the beloved daughter of Alfonso and Lucinda Padilla. While growing up, Helen loved taking care of and doting on her baby brother, Joe. She also loved ice- skating and often shared how she “grew up on ice skates”. After graduating top of her high school class, she attended Highlands University in New Mexico where she received her bachelor’s degree in Education and Teaching. After serving as a teacher in Arizona for a few years, she and her family moved back to New Mexico and settled in Espanola. During those first few years in Espanola, Helen supported her family as a middle school teacher. She eventually transitioned to Espanola Elementary School where she taught second grade bilingual education for many years. She was a pillar of the educational community in Espanola throughout her 30+ years in the classroom. She enjoyed teaching and serving her community so dearly, she continued to support students and the elementary school as a substitute teacher after she retired. She was a teacher at heart and instilled a love of lifelong learning in her children and grandchildren as well.

Helen cherished her role as a grandmother and spent endless hours playing with her grandchildren. She loved playing board games with them, taking them to the local playground and swimming pool, and playing catch with them in the front yard. She loved spoiling her grandchildren every chance she got.

Helen also loved being outdoors. As a child, she fondly remembered picking pinon with her family in the forested area around her home. Whether she was gardening, cleaning or walking outside, Helen enjoyed the fresh air and freedom the outdoors offered her.

Helen will forever be remembered for her generosity towards others, her passion for teaching herself and others around her throughout her life and for her perseverance and faith in God through difficult times. We are so grateful for the years she was in our lives and will always cherish the joyful memories we shared with her. 

Services for Helen P. Martinez will be held on Saturday, May 8th at 12:00 pm at Holy Cross Catholic Church (116 S. McCurdy Rd, Espanola, New Mexico, 87532). Due to current federal guidelines, masks are required inside the church.

The family respectfully requests that, in lieu of flowers, a donation be made in honor of the Martinez Family, to the Hoy Recovery Program, located in Espanola and specializing in substance abuse recovery. A donation can be made via phone at (505) 753-2203 or through the website at hoyrecovery.org.