Lydia Maria Martinez, 96, a resident of Pagosa Springs, Colo., passed away peacefully surrounded by her immediate family on Sept. 1, 2024. Lydia was born to the late Juan Rafael and Antonina Martinez on April 23, 1928, in Rosa, N.M.
Lydia was a homemaker and is preceded in death by her husband, Manuel E. Martinez; son Sammy G. Martinez; and 2-year-old daughter Consuelo Martinez. Lydia took great pride in gardening. She made the best red chile, apricot pies and fresh tortillas.
She worked tirelessly meeting the needs of her family — sewing quilts, canning and making homemade meals. One thing you knew for certain was to never pick her flowers, mess up her windows or eat the center of the watermelon. When she did take a break, she enjoyed visiting her friends and relatives in the area, reading romance novels and True Story magazines. Lydia was an active member of the Guadalupe Society and was recently honored as a Catholic pioneer of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.
Lydia is survived by a very extended, large and loving family, (Beverly) of the late Sammy Martinez grandkids Natosha Smith and Jesse Martinez, Angie Riemer (Dale) grandkids, Victoria Gunnels, Tracy Machajewski, Jody Lucero and Jennifer Sawyer, Connie Gomez (Michael) grandkids, Suzanne Sisneros, Melanie Trent, Melody Gomez, Felicia Gomez and Macaela Ortiz. Donnie Martinez (Candyce) grandkids, Misty Carrasco and David Krygowski, Cindy Lucero (Guzman) and grandkids Josh Lucero, Isaiah Lucero, Lyndsey Lucero and Jake Lucero, Lawrence Martinez (Kim) grandkids, Kristi Martinez and Timmy Martinez, Robert Martinez (Terri) grandkids, Abby O’Conner, Jimmy Martinez, Ari Martinez and Kyleigh Martinez, 44 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great-grandchildren. Her brothers Raynel Martinez and Albert Martinez (Angie).
The family wishes to express a thank you to the Pine Ridge nursing home and to her caregivers — Sabina Archuleta, Sophia Jacobson and Madeline Haskin — for their companionship and compassionate care in her final months.
A viewing will take place at 5:30 p.m. with rosary recitation at 6 p.m. at Pope John Paul II Catholic Church, located at 353 S. Pagosa Blvd. in Pagosa Springs, Colo., on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. A funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at 10 a.m., at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church located at 451 Lewis St. in Pagosa Springs, Colo. A Christian burial will take place immediately following the services at the Trujillo Cemetery in Trujillo, Colo. All are invited to join in a meal at Pagosa Springs Elementary School, located at 141 S. 10th St., following the interment.
