Natividad Martinez, known to her family and friends as “Teve,” passed away on Jan. 27 at the age of 95 years old. Her adoring family, four daughters, were by her side as she experienced a peaceful death.
Teve was born to the late Nemecio and Guminsida Gallegos on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 1922, in La Puente, N.M. She was the eldest of eight children and was preceded by all of her siblings, except her brother, Chris Gallegos, of Denver, Colo. She and her late husband, Joe I. Martinez, were well known as ranchers in Trujillo and Pagosa Springs. They later located to a ranch at Ignacio, Colo., in 1960. She was truly a pioneer in Colorado and recognized for having five daughters all who attended school in Pagosa Springs. This included Mary Lalita, the twins Polly and Ruth, Bernice and Roseann. Her eldest daughter, Mary Lalita, who married Mauricio Gomez, sadly passed away in 2015.For the past 15 years, Teve lived in California, staying with her daughter. Teve was a devout Catholic, enjoying her participation with church members in Trujillo, Pagosa Springs and serving as a Carmelite at St. Ignatius Church for 40 years. Her family members gifted her Catholic memorabilia from all over the world. One of her proudest moments was seeing Pope John Paul II in San Francisco.
She is survived by four daughters, Polly Stein (husband Tom); Ruth Pedersen (husband Robert); Bernice Martinez; and Roseann Gomez (late husband) Isaac Gomez. She also has 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. The grandchildren are: Reese, John and Mark Gomez, Melannie Buff, Lynette McPherrin, Ryan Holoubek, Melissa Fischer, Jenai Butts, Kristen Schaefer and Shannon Gilmore.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10, at St. Ignatius Catholic Church with Monsignor Leo Gomez and Father Damian de la Cruz-Nuñez presiding. The rosary will be held at St. Ignatius on Friday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m.
