Estrella Martinez

Estrella Martinez, age 87, entered into eternal rest on Friday, May 19, 2023. She was a wonderful wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother and will be dearly missed. Estrella is preceded in death by her parents; Jesus Flores and Tomasa Castorena, her beloved husband Tomas Martinez, and her brother; Francisco Flores. She is survived by her children; Ricardo Martinez (Nelly), Rosa Lujan (Rafael), Guadalupe Sabas, Raquel Wood (Roy), Estela Martinez, Jesus Martinez (Rosie), David Martinez (Patricia), Dolores Martinez, Bertha Alicia Marquez (Jose), Irene Martinez (Danny), Irma Martinez (Ernesto), Raymond Martinez (Rachel), Vivian Martinez (Jorge), and Gina Martinez (Paul), 34 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many extended family and friends to cherish and honor her memory.

Estrella was blessed with a large family of her own. She married Tomas Martinez at a very young age. In the early days she enjoyed spending time with her husband and children. There were so many times spent going to the river for picnics, camping, traveling to Cd. Juarez to visit relatives from both families. There were many parties and a few funerals, but all was done as a happy family. Estrella loved music. She enjoyed going to concerts to watch her favorite Mexican artists perform. Estrella always enjoyed having music playing. We were raised listening to the beautiful Mexican music. She was very funny, but when she had to be tough, she was. 

Estrella worked many years as a seamstress at Levi's. She was very hard working and very dedicated to her job. She wanted to help financially so all her children had at least the bare essentials. Estrella was very strong willed. She was the main force in getting all her children and her mother legal residency in El Paso, Texas. The first time Tomas applied, they were denied, but Estrella was not going to let it go; along with her mother, Tomasa, they both worked hard cleaning houses and ironing clothes for strangers to make enough money to pay for legalization.

The greatest joy for Estrella Martinez was going to the Casinos. It didn't matter if she only had $20 she wanted to go. In the 2000s she would go by herself and would always run into all her friends. In these past few years her son Ray and daughter Bertha were the two taking her to the Casinos because if not she made it a fact to tell everyone how bored she was in Phoenix. A few times she did win some money and she always shared it with her children.

Estrella was always trying to keep her family together. She wanted all her children to get along and look out for each other. Her children will love her eternally. Estrella will never ever be forgotten. Love you Mom, Grandmother, Great-grandmother, Great-great-grandmother. You are our STAR!!!!!

A Visitation will be held from 4:00pm to 9:00pm on Thursday, June 01, 2023 with a Holy Rosary to commence at 6:30pm, at Sunset Funeral Homes-West. A Funeral Service will be held at 9:30am on Saturday, June 03, 2023 at San Martin De Porres Catholic Church 1885 McNutt Rd, Sunland Park, NM 88063. An Inurnment will follow at 10:30am at Memory Gardens of the Valley Cemetery.

Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Homes-West, 480 N. Resler.