Bertha Martinez

Beloved daughter, sister, sister-in-law, auntie, and honorary grandma Bertha Martinez, passed away peacefully on February 17, 2021 in Albuquerque, at the home she shared with her sister Darlene and brother-in-law Henry Abeyta.

She is preceded in death by her mother Stella Martinez; sister Helen Garcia; brother-in-law Philip Garcia; nephews: Adam Quintana, Philip Garcia; niece Daphne Garcia-Martinez; and great-niece Amanda Martinez.

Bertha is survived by her nephew/son Chris Martinez; brothers: Leo Martinez of Espanola, Cipriano "Cippie" Martinez and wife Gloria of Espanola, Joseph Martinez of Espanola; sisters: Lucille Martinez of Albuquerque, Mandy Ruiz of Moreno Valley, California, Darlene Abeyta of  Albuquerque; nephews: Brian Abeyta, his wife Adriana, their children Agustín, Benjamin, and Nicolas (Nico), Daniel Abeyta, his wife Ariane (Ari) Kaminsky, their son Max all from Alexandria, Virginia. She was beloved by her niece/goddaughter Kathy Casados and husband Matthew of Espanola; great-niece Veronica Casados; and great-nephew Adan Casados, both of Albuquerque; godson Ivan Martinez of Santa Fe; also her extended family: Janice Martinez and her husband Sammy of Chimayo; Natalie Salazar and her husband Julian of Albuquerque; Chris Abeyta and his wife Sabrina of Rio Rancho; and their families, and so many others along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Bertha was born in Ojo Caliente, New Mexico on May 10, 1943. She was a curious child who developed a lifelong love for both reading and wandering near the river, often getting into trouble with her Abuelita.

She enjoyed a special relationship with Chris, who would travel to Albuquerque often to assist her in anything she needed. Chris and Bertha cherished the time they had to just generally hang out together.

Bertha lived with her youngest sister Darlene and her husband Henry for the past 15 years. She was a vital part of their nuclear family. In addition to the love of her siblings, nieces, and nephews, Bertha was considered family by many of her extended family and friends. She was embraced as family by her brother-in-law Henry’s family (her extended family), and spent many celebrations/holidays with them. 

Bertha was a beautiful soul who was always joy to be around. She had been happily retired from Walmart for five years and was enjoying a more relaxed lifestyle while caring for her “Shih Tzu babies” Mari and Essa. She loved traveling and participating in various fun pursuits with family members. Many are saddened by vacation and activity plans that will never be.

Her family is comforted, in their time of sorrow and great loss, by their shared Christian faith. They rejoice that she has been welcomed into the loving arms of our Savior and Lord.

Bertha's Life Celebration will begin with a Mass on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at 11:00am at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church located at 5415 Fortuna Road NW,  87105. She will be laid to rest at a later date at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Espanola, New Mexico near her mother and family members.

Due to the restrictions set in place by the Governor masks are MANDATORY to attend Bertha's Mass. Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church has a capacity of 175 people. 

Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church will live-stream Bertha's Mass. The link to the live-stream is posted below. 

Pallbearers will be Kathy Casados and Chris Martinez.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Brian Abeyta, Daniel Abeyta, Ivan Morfin, and Amber Martinez.

In this time of great need in our local community, please consider sending a donation in Bertha’s memory to one of her favorite charities: Joy Junction or Roadrunner Food bank.

Also, please enjoy the video tribute prepared by the family below.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bertha Martinez, please visit our floral store.