Nelson Martinez

Nelson M. Martinez, a resident of La Mesilla, passed on to eternal life on January 6, 2016, surrounded by his family, prayer and love.  Nelson was preceded in death by his beloved son, Nelson, Jr.; his mother Trinidad Martinez; his beloved grandmother who helped raise him; Tecla Espinosa-Martinez; grandfather, Julian Martinez; his parents in-law, Bennie and Odilia Montoya; his father Ursulo Martinez, and many beloved relatives, neighbors and friends.  A devout catholic, (with special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Therese of Lisieux and St. Jude Thaddaeus) Nelson was a parishioner at Iglesia de Santa Cruz de la Canada and was a member of the San Isidro Coro de la Sagrada Familia, The Universal Living Rosary of Saint Philomena, and Knights of Columbus Council 3314, and the Las Mesilla Cenacle of the Marian Movement of Priests.  He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Maida; his beloved children:  Gwen and Frank Orona, La Mesilla; Yvonne and Kevin John, Pojoaque; Angela and Patrick Silva, Rio Rancho; Lisa Maestas and Danny Duran, La Mesilla; his beloved grandchildren: James Gallegos, Joshua Gallegos, Maria and Jerrick Morsey, Yleana Lucero, Sofia Lucero, Jordan Silva, Jared Silva, Lauren Guillen, and Isaiah Maestas; and the “apple of his eye”, beloved great-grandson, Noah Steven; brothers and sisters: Esther and Phil Martinez, and Eddie and Elsie Martinez; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Josie and Dennis Galvez; Flavio and Anna Montoya; Benny Montoya, Jr., and many other beloved relatives and friends. Serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons: James and Joshua Gallegos, Isaiah Maestas, and Jared Silva.  Honorary pallbearers are his beloved granddaughters: Maria Orona-Morsey, Yleana and Sofia Lucero, Lauren Jude Guillen, and Jordan Silva.  A Rosary will be recited at Iglesia de Santa Cruz de la Canada at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 11, 2016, with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 a.m. Cremation has taken place and a family private burial will take place at a later date.  The family of Nelson M. Martinez has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home and Crematory of the Espanola Valley, 505-747-7477 – www.devargasfuneral.com

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