Cecilia Joan Martinez,
70, a resident of Hernandez, passed away on Friday, April 24, 2009 following a lengthy illness. She was preceded in death by her previous husband, Filimon Gonzales; parents, Rafael and Adela Lovato; brothers, Leroy, Albert, Juan, Isaac (Dale), and Joe (Benny) Lovato, and infant sisters, Joyce and Sadie Lovato; son, Ernest Martinez. Cecilia loved being outdoors, camping, fishing, and enjoyed being involved with her son’s auto repair shop. She was always concerned for others before herself. She always had a smile on her face, and liked to joke. She was a great wife and mother. She will be greatly missed. Mrs. Martinez is survived by her husband of 47 years, Teodoro Martinez of Hernandez; children, Beulah Salazar of Santa Fe, Leona Martinez and companion Salvador Perez of Hernandez, Phillip Gonzales Sr. and wife Kathy of Chimayo, and Daniel Martinez and companion Yvette Herrera of Arroyo Seco; step-daughter, Julia Vigil and companion Albert Bernal of Denver, CO; sisters, Barbara Martinez and husband Francis of Hernandez, Geraldine Martinez and husband Max of Medanales, Magdalena Martinez and husband Leondro of Mesa de Poleo; brother, Norberto “Clyde” Lovato and wife Shirley of Rio Rancho; grandchildren, Phillip Jr., Shaun, Chaz Salazar, Tracy Martinez, Crystal Daniels, and Desiree, Gabran Martinez; great-grandchildren, Mariah Gonzales, Calab, and Lexxy Gonzales, Paul Gonzales, Tiana and Angel Martinez, Savannah Salazar and numerous other relatives and friends. Public visitation was Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory; wake service followed at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial is pending. Burial will take place at the San Jose Catholic Cemetery in Hernandez with the following serving as pallbearers, Phillip Jr., and Shaun Gonzales, Jeremy Martinez, Salvador Perez, Jaime Zapata and Lawrence and Patrick Martinez. Honorary pallbearers are Mariah Gonzales, Crystal Daniels, Chaz Salazar, Tracy and Tiana Martinez, Francisco Lovato, and Juan Lovato Jr. The Martinez family has entrusted their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477 or www.devargasfuneral.com