Ruth B. Taos Martinez

Our beloved Ruth B. Martinez passed away on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at the Taos Living Center with her compadre, Tim Romero, by her side. She had bravely battled the ravages of cancer. Ruth was preceded in death by her mother, Beatrice Ortega; stepfather, Marcelino Ortega. She is survived by her son, Daniel Martinez; brothers: Carlos Martinez and Patrick Finn; nephews/niece: David, Derrick, Matthew and Maria Elena Martinez. Ruth was born in Embudo, New Mexico on August 6, 1944. She grew up in Taos until the age of seven and went to live in Trinidad and Colorado Springs, Colorado. While in Colorado Springs, Ruth attended Saint Mary’s Parochial School and after graduation she returned with her family back to Taos to help restore the family’s old adobe. Ruth’s first job was at the old Holy Cross Hospital back in the mid-sixties where she ran their Dispensary and Supplies Department for over 18 years. She also worked at the school cafeteria and Head Start program. In 1999, she joined Walmart as an associate until her recent cancer diagnosis. Ruth was a gentle, kind, and caring spirit. She received you with a cheerful smile and warm embracing eyes. She was encouragingly loving and generous to others with cards and gifts plus ready to sing a beautiful rendition of Happy Birthday of Las Mananitas. She’d always offer to help with both family and community functions. She enjoyed a good joke, could find humor in daily doldrum situations, and at times might even be cynical. Ruth was a very private person and a congenial listener that you could trust. She was such a lover of animals from her pet lamb; “Abbie,” to the calves she bottled fed, but would also care for the stray dogs and cats. Many times she bottled fed tiny, helpless kittens. Ruth adored her cats. Ruth was also an avid reader and could readily engage in discussions of various worldly subjects. Her demure shyness was deceiving. The family intends to hold a memorial service to Ruth’s life near her birthday on August 6th and spread her ashes at the Rio Grande Gorge. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends and colleagues. The family of Ruth B. Martinez has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477

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