Josefita Martinez

Josefita "Josie" Martinez was born November 20, 1927, and passed peacefully at home on July 14, 2023, after a short illness. Josie was born into a large close-knit Chimayo family. After the early passing of her mother, Josie was a quiet, unassuming source of strength to her family. While she never married or had children of her own, she was a mother figure to not only her younger siblings but also to her many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

She was a devoted Catholic and attended mass every day for most of her life. In her younger days Josie was a teacher at Santa Cruz Parochial School near Espanola.

Josie and her sister, Mickie Medina, were "best friends," so close that she lived with the Medinas. She was immediate family to Dan and Mickie, Lucia, Mario and April, and Michelle, Danielle, Moorea, and Ava.

Josie and Mickie were an inseparable duo and social butterfly companions - always on the go. Whether it was a quick run into Santa Fe or Espanola for shopping, out to dine with friends, cooking lunch every Friday for their local Catholic priests, and attending many gatherings from constant invitations from family and friends.

Josie was a source of inspiration to all who knew her with her humble but larger-than-life presence. But she was no one to be trifled with. She knew how to shoot a gun and ride a horse. She was raised by a single father, was a bit of a tomboy but also completely feminine. You would never see her without her perfectly groomed hair, manicured nails, strand of pearls and fashionable dress. You would always hear her say, "let me put on my lipstick."

She beat cancer into remission, shrugged it off like it was a cold and never complained about the pain she may have felt from any ailment she experienced. She was wise and restrained, yet youthful in spirit, with a playful, uplifting and exuberant joy for life.

Josie, who had a "bit" of a lead foot, drove into her nineties. She was quick to compliment your driving skills if you were not a shy or hesitant driver. She taught more than a few of her nieces and nephews how to drive, each with a story of their own about the experience.

She loved telling jokes and stories with a twinkle in her eye - sometimes laughing harder at the punch line than her audience.

Josie loved her pets, music, and gardening. Her cat Patches was her love and the bane of her existence with his mischievousness.

She collected seeds that she stored in the trunk of her car to add to her extensive flower and vegetable gardens. And in recent years to share with everyone else. Her little bed of morning glories, that she insisted you see on every visit, were her pride and joy. Her taste in music was eclectic and fun, from 80s pop music to Creedence Clearwater Revival and Pedro Infante. You would often find her humming away, tapping her fingers and rocking her head to a "good" song on her favorite radio station 98.5 FM, that was blasting loudly from her radio. She loved to go for a ride and listen to music.

But most of all Josie loved her family. Each of us was special to her and she made everyone feel that you couldn't be loved more than she loved you.

Our Josie, our Mina was one of the most special souls to the many who were lucky and blessed enough to have known her. She leaves us with incredible memories and a smile on our faces. Her life was well lived and she will be greatly missed.

We love you Josie. We love you Mina. And we know that you and Mick are happily sipping on your shots of tequilas together again.

Josie is preceded in death by her father and mother, Enemecio Ortiz Martinez and Benita Fresquez Martinez, maternal grandfather and grandmother Padro and Lucia (Mare) Fresquez, brother Leopoldo Martinez, sisters Domitila Gonzales, Elena Naranjo, Mickie Medina and Lydia Stone, nieces Lucia Medina and Danielle Romero. She is survived by siblings, Rita Apel, Zoraida Martinez, Susie Lucero, Anthony Martinez, nephew Mario Medina and companion April Moya, niece Michelle Romero and her many more nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, extended family and many special friends.

A Rosary will be held for Josie at 1pm on July 28 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Chimayo. A Mass will be held at 2pm at the church, followed by a reception at the Parish Hall.