Aurora "Dora" E. - Age 80 - Cuartel Martinez

Aurora “Dora” E. Martinez – Age 80 Cuarteles, April 21, 1931 – October 8, 2011.\r\nOur beautiful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother was called home to be with our Heavenly Father on October 8, 2011. She died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family after a difficult illness. Dora was born on April 21, 1931 in Cuarteles, NM to Alejandro and Eloisa Esquibel. She grew up in Cuarteles and graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 1950. She married her dearest Joe on June 23, 1951. They were married for over 55 years until Joe’s death in 2007. She devoted her early family life to raising five boys. She then worked for many years for the Española Public Schools and Northern New Mexico College, retiring after many years of service. Dora was a lifelong catholic and member of Santa Cruz Catholic Church, and a long time member of the Holy Family Association. She and Joe were also esclavos of the Sangre de Cristo Chapel in Cuarteles for over 40 years. \r\nDora loved God above all else and she loved and lived for her family. She will always be remembered for her strength, her kindness, and her generosity. She always placed everyone else ahead of herself. She loved to work in her garden and was a wonderful cook, but she will always be remembered most as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Dora loved greatly and was greatly loved. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. \r\nDora was preceded in death by her dear husband, Jose “Joe” E. Martinez; her son, Larry M. Martinez; her parents: Alejandro and Eloisa Esquibel; brothers: Candelario, Max, Ramon, Samuel, and Henry Esquibel; sisters: Donelia Montoya and Gloria Herrera; brothers-in-law: Daniel Montoya, Albert Herrera and Tom Carmen.\r\nShe is survived by her sons: Ronald J. and wife Doreen Martinez, Arthur C. and wife Soledad Martinez, Joe Mark Martinez and Adam L. and wife Susan Martinez all of Cuarteles; grandchildren: LouAnna Martinez, Ronnie and wife Cynthia Martinez, Amanda Martinez and Steve Sanchez, Nicole and Ben Martinez, Arthur Martinez, Jr., Justin Maestas, Adan Martinez and Elias Martinez; great-grandchildren: Katelyn Aurora Martinez and Gabriel and Priston Sanchez; sisters: Mary Carmen, Tina Trujillo, Josie Cervantes and Patty Wheeler and husband Johnny; sisters-in-law: Della Esquibel, Louise Esquibel, Edwina Esquibel, Velma Esquibel, Carol Esquibel and Anita Martinez; and numerous other relatives and friends. Rosary will be recited on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at La Iglesia de Santa Cruz de la Canada. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at La Iglesia de Santa Cruz de la Canada with burial to follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery with the following serving as pallbearers will be: Ronald J. Martinez, Arthur C. Martinez, Joe Mark Martinez, Adam L. Martinez, Ronnie Martinez and Justin Maestas. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be: LouAnna Martinez, Amanda Martinez, Patty Wheeler and all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family of Aurora “Dora” E. Martinez has entrusted the care of their beloved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477

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