Ruth Martinez

Funeral services for Ruth Rebecca Martinez, of Questa, NM, formerly of Albuquerque, NM, will be held at 12 noon Wednesday, August 10, 2016, at the Rivera Funeral Home, 417 East Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM, with Reverend Peter Martinez officiating. The visitation will be one hour prior to the service. The burial will be at the Santa Fe National Cemetery, 501 Guadalupe St., Santa Fe, NM, at 3:00 pm, Wednesday, August 10, 2016. Ruth Rebecca Martinez, the eldest of 10 children, of Demetrio and Nellie Bazan was born December 7, 1920 in El Paso, Texas. Ruth married Virgil Martinez August 24, 1941, at El Buen Pastor Church in Questa, NM, almost 75 years ago. They lived in El Paso, TX, Walsenburg, CO, Denver, CO and then in Albuquerque, NM. When they retired, they moved to Questa, NM, where they owned the El Seville Restaurant, Sangre de Cristo Motel and the Questa Lodge. Ruth was a faithful wife, loving mom and supportive sister. She always wanted and loved having her family around her. Music was her passion. She was a concert pianist and graduate of the Music Conservatory in Mexico City. Church was her life. She attended El Buen Pastor Church in Questa. From the time she was 17 years old she directed many choirs, was a piano teacher, and played the piano in many different churches. She also sang with the New Mexico Symphony Choir in Albuquerque. She continued to serenade family, friends and the church with her piano playing until recently. Ruth went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at the Christus St. Vincent Hospital in Santa Fe, NM. She was 95 years old. She is survived by her children: Yolanda (Richard) Gabriel, (Questa, NM), Elizabeth (Gerald) Haley, (Alexandria, MN), Rebecca (John)Hollander, (Questa, NM), Virgil Martinez Jr., (Questa, NM), Grandchildren: Wendy Mascarenas, (Hillsboro, OR), Tania Garcia, (Simi Valley. CA), Richard (Greg) Gabriel Jr., (Tijeras, NM), Erin (Nick) Strub, (Bloomington, MN), Allyson (Jon) Loewe, (Washougal, WA), Heather (Tyson) Kniker, (Tampa, FL), Lindsay (Jon) DaSilva, (Windsor, CT), Jonathan (Alaina) Hollander, (Questa, NM), and Rachel Martinez, (Anaheim, CA), Great Grandchildren : Brittany, Adrian, Drew, Haley, Natalie, Emilia, Wilson, Sienna and Isabel. Siblings: Alice Medina, Demetrio Bazan Jr., David Bazan, Bernice Diaz, Susan Menchaca. She was preceded in death by her parents (Demetrio and Nellie Bazan), her sisters (Esther Martinez, Elizabeth Martinez, Vangie Martinez), and her brother (Alexander Bazan).