Catalina C. (Cardenas) Martinez

With sadness, we announce the passing of Catalina Martinez, our loving and devoted mother, grandmother and friend, to all whose lives she touched.  On December 20, 2022, she left us peacefully sleeping at her daughter’s home in Artesia, NM.  She was in her 85th year.

            She was born on April 30, 1937 in Durango, Mexico in a two street village.  In 1955 Catalina traveled to the US seeking a new adventure.  In 1962 she met her first husband Pedro Samora.  They were blessed with three children:  Rosalina, Belen, and Pedro Jr.  He preceded her in death in 1984.  In 1896 she met her second husband, Jose Martinez.  After retirement they moved to Rociada, NM where she enjoyed gardening, cooking, canning and sewing, as well as being involved with her church, San Jose Mission, who she loved dearly.  Also a member of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Las, Vegas, NM.  She was a Cursillista and had a very close and personal relationship with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  She spent her last life in Artesia, NM with her youngest daughter, Belen and husband Kent Chaney.  The family would like to thank Kent for all his love, care and dedication to Catalina. 

            She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Jose Martinez; brother Gabriel Cardenas; two daughters: Rosalina (Nick) and Belen (Kent); also Pam (Palmer), and Tomas.  She also is survived by her granddaughters:  Tiffany (John), Roxanne (Nathan) and Amanda (Lyle); 10 great grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, Juan and Isabel.

her son Pedro Jr. Samora, and a step-son Joe Mike (Christine).  Catalina’s greatest prayer was for her family.  She wished us all peace, love and happiness and that we may all be reunited one day in the kingdom of heaven.

A visitation will be held today, December 28, 2022 from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm in St. Francis Chapel at Gonzales Funerals & Cremations, 2315 Hot Springs Blvd, Las Vegas, NM.  Services will be held from Our Lady of Sorrows Church on Thursday, December 29, 2022 beginning with a rosary at 9:00 am followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 am.  The interment will follow in the San Jose Cemetery in Upper Rociada, NM with the following serving as pallbearers:  John Granado, Pete Cardenas, Manuel Urias Jr., Nathan Martinez Jr., Lyle Sandoval and Luke Sandoval. Honorary bearers will be Nathan Martinez Sr., Cruzito Padilla, and Dominic Gehring-Garcia.

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