Virginia (Aurelia) Martinez

Virginia (Aurelia) Martinez , 91, a lifelong resident of La Villita passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2019. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Elefio Salazar, Sr. and Antonia Salazar; husband, Jose Aurelio Martinez; daughter, Eva Lopez; grandson, Ivan Lopez; son-in-law, Eloy Lopez; sisters, Ignacia Medina and Alice Valdez; brothers, Isauro Salazar and Elefio Salazar Jr. and many other loved ones.  She was the matriarch of the Martinez family. Always working hard to provide for her family.  She truly loved being a member of La Morada de El Padre Jesus Nazareno de Alcalde and of the Holy Family Society.  She also loved to go to bingo and the casino. Virginia is survived by her son, Paul Martinez (Terry); daughter, Lisa Redman (Paul); granddaughter raised by her and the love of her life, Colleen Lopez (Randy) all of La Villita; special beloved niece, Geri Shaw (Rick) of La Villita; grandchildren, Andrew Sanchez (Leah) of Alcalde, Lina Martinez (Juan) of La Villita, Abre Montoya (Jolen) of La Mesilla, Maria Vigil (Lorenzo) of Rio Rancho; great-grandchildren, Allyssa, Tyler and Braylon Vigil, Alexis and Alexandria Montoya, Royce Martinez, Jolen Montoya Jr. and Josiah Montoya; sisters, Rachael Valdez (Alfonso) of Utah, Angie Valdez of La Villita, brother, Eloy Salazar (Annie) of La Villita, and numerous relatives and friends; we would especially like to thank, Martha Bencomo for helping us care for our mother. Public Visitation will begin on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Ohkay Owingeh, with a rosary to be recited at 11:00 a.m. with a Mass of Christian burial to follow at 11:30 a.m. Burial to follow at the La Villita Cemetery with the following serving the family as pallbearers, Raymond Martinez, Andrew Sanchez Jr., Randy Gurule, Juan Montoya, Lorenzo Vigil, and Jolen Montoya. Honorary pallbearers are the Hermanos de La Morada in Alcalde. The family of Virginia (Aurelia) Martinez has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley.