Jessie Martinez

JESSIE RODRIGUEZ MARTINEZ, 92 passed away on Sunday, February 14, 2016, after complications from surgery. Grandma Jessie, the Matriarch of the Martinez and Maestas families, was born on July 15, 1923 to Filigonio and Emilia Rodriguez. She was a lifelong resident of Espanola, still living on her father's land and living in the same Adobe home she built with her late husband Eddie Martinez. She was preceded in death by her son, Robert. Jessie had a wonderful life that was filled with many blessings. She had many stories to tell and was very proud of her life on the "West Side" and of her Spanish Heritage. Her mother passed away when she was 9 years old and Jessie was later raised by her Tia Candelarita.  She then attended school at Ellis and James in Santa Fe where she was forced to learn English.  When she was sixteen she married Eddie and later had three children.  In 1970, she and Eddie founded La Cocina Restaurant and along with her daughter ran the business till 1991 when she retired. The business continues to exist and is still run by one of her grandsons. She was also very proud of having worked in Los Alamos with Dr. Oppenheimer, as a nanny to his children, at the beginning of the Manhattan Project.

She was the last of her Rodriguez family to pass away. She had six siblings who preceded her in death: Albert, James, Mike, Louis, Mabel and John. She was also preceded by her nephew Leo Vigil and her niece Jessie Rodriguez.

She is survived by her daughter Emily Maestas and her son Michael Martinez (Elisa). Jessie left behind ten grandchildren: Art Maestas, Don (Renee), Chris (Anabelle), Derek (Corrina), Charles (Debra), Phillip (Javier), Steven (Derrick Ellis), Robert Martinez (Sheri), John (Samantha) and Ryan. She also had fourteen great grandchildren, Robert James, Brett and Kristen Martinez, Adam, Christopher, Erin, Jacob, Bryan, Jerica, Jessica, Dana, Jadyn, Candace and Alisha Maestas. She also had thirteen great, great grandchildren, Sierra, Silas, Brynn, Lindsay, Emma, Noah, Mathias, Aurora, Emiliano, Cash, Keegan, Colton and Parker.

She was also surrounded by many, many friends who would call on and visit her daily. She had two special nieces Gloria Vigil and Theresa Montoya along with her nephews Larry Vigil and Jake, Carlos and John Rodriguez. Her special godson Joe Garcia and his sister Beverly Garcia. Her neighbors and friends Becky, Lupita, Vita and Peggy. Public visitation will begin on Thursday, February 18, 2016  at 6:30 p.m. in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory, with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, February 19, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Espanola. Burial will be held at a later date.  Serving the family as pallbearers will be her 10 grandsons. The family of Jessie R. Martinez has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley. 505-747-7477 – www.devargasfuneral.com

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