Martha L. Rotunno

Martha Luna Rotunno, 92, passed away at home on October 31, 2024, in Santa Fe, NM, surrounded by loving family. Martha was born in Saginaw, Michigan on October 24, 1932. She was preceded in death by Robert A. Rotunno, Father of her children; Joe Medina, Companion; Sons: Robert Steven (Sharon Voss), Angelo Eric and Gilbert Joseph; Parents: Lee and Joseph Luna; Grandson: Angelo Gilbert (Joanna); Brothers: Oscar (Angie), Joe (Elva) and Richard (Patricia), and Sister Eleanor (Manuel). She is survived by her Children: Cindy (Jeff), Lorraine, Nancy, and Gilda (Tomas); Grandchildren: Melanie (Tim), Erica (Jesse), Lisa (Armando), Justin (Andrea), Stefanie (Abdiel), Shawna (Shawn), Lucia (Sean), Philip (Berenice), and Samantha (Jamie); Great Grandchildren: Isabella (Andrew), Isaiah, Aaron, Isaac, Addison, Isabel, Aiden, Eden, Gabriel, Joseph, Ava, Luciano, Kennedy, Witten, Logan, and Eisley; Sisters: Gloria and Stella (Bonafacio); and many other family members who loved her dearly. Martha was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sibling, friend, and pilar of the community. She will be missed by everyone who remembers her visiting with freshly baked bread, cupcakes, or holiday cookies. She often opened her home to family and friends on Sundays after Mass to share a warm meal, love and laughter, and “coffee with the Lord”. Before her career at Tia Sophia’s, she supported her family working at other well-known restaurants in Santa Fe. She retired from Tia Sophia’s after over 30 years serving others as a waitress. Retiring never slowed Martha down as she continued to serve others, such as serving food to the homeless at Bienvenidos, she never hesitated in putting others before herself. Martha was her family’s biggest cheerleader as she took every opportunity possible to be with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family by helping with parties and gatherings, attending sports events, volunteering in the schools and the community, and often traveling to Michigan to be with family. Locally, she volunteered for Keep Santa Fe Beautiful and the New Mexico Museum of Art, among many other community organizations that held a special place in her heart. Martha always shared her love and laughter with everyone she encountered, treating them all as if they were one of her very own, including teaching dance at the schools during her time as a member of the Socidiedad Colonial Espanola de Santa Fe. Martha was so giving of herself to others through her loving presence and smile. As a devoted and faithful member of the Catholic community, Martha was a eucharistic minister and member of the San Isidro Church Altar Society. She was nominated by Father Frank Pretto of San Isidro Parish to receive the Saint Francis award at the Basilica Santa Fe, becoming the first recipient of this award from her parish, presented to her by Archbishop Michael Sheehan. Martha was humble and never took credit where credit was due but she truly was a remarkable woman. No matter where you went, stories of Martha were floating in the air including that she has been credited for coining the phrase “Christmas” when deciding between red and green chile for their favorite New Mexican dishes. She was featured in many articles, including one in the New Mexico Magazine and was also mentioned in the CBS Special “A New Mexico Christmas: Red and green chiles” which aired on December 18, 2022. Please join the family on Thursday, November 7, 2024, for the visitation beginning at 5:30 pm until the start of the Rosary at 6:30 pm. Visitation and Rosary will be held at the San Isidro Parish Center, 3552 Agua Fria Street, Santa Fe, NM 87507. The funeral mass will be at 10 am on Friday, November 8, 2024, at San Isidro Parish Center, 3552 Agua Fria Street, Santa Fe, NM 87507. Immediately following mass, burial will be at Cementerio de Agua Fria, 5269 Agua Fria Park Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507. In lieu of flowers, donations in Martha’s honor can be made payable to “San Isidro Parish-New Church Fund” and sent to San Isidro Parish Office, 2148 San Ysidro Crossing, Santa Fe NM 87507

Reception details – to be announced.