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1922
2013
King City
Raquel Martinez
Our beloved mother and grandmother Raquel (Rachel) Martinez passed away peacefully on Monday, May 6, 2013, at Eden Valley Center in Soledad. Raquel was born August 12, 1922, in Michoacan, Mexico.
She immigrated to the United States in April 1970 and fell in love with the small town warmth and charm of King City, which reminded her of her small hometown in Mexico and she never left.
Raquel was employed by Basic Vegetable Products for more than 20 years where her dedication, kindness and warm heart touched many of her co-workers. At Basic Vegetable, she developed life-long friendships that brought joy, appreciation and support to her throughout the years and especially during her long-term illness.
Raquel was dedicated to her work, she loved to travel to Mexico and spend time visiting relatives and sharing her generosity with those less fortunate; she took pride in growing beautiful African violets which she shared with friends, and she quietly volunteered for many years behind the scenes without asking for recognition at St. John's Catholic Church in King City.
Her greatest joy was spending time with her family especially with her grandchildren, Brandon and Jennifer. She was so proud, blessed and thankful to have lived in the United States and one of her proudest accomplishments was to have been sworn as a US Citizen in 2008.
She was preceded in death by her spouse, our father and grandfather, Leopoldo Martinez, who passed away in 1987.
Raquel is survived by her only child, Star (Estrella) Martinez-Howard; her grandchildren, Brandon Day of Dallas, TX and Jennifer Day of Salinas; her son-in-law, Mark Haddan of Salinas and former son-in-law, Craig Day of Greenfield; her two sisters, Maria Luz Blum and Carmen Martinez of Ft. Lee, NJ; her three brothers, John and Cipriano Martinez of Los Angeles and Vicente Martinez of Mexico City; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her friend and dedicated caregiver, Elida (Gloria) Contreras.
Our family would like to thank Dr. Raymond Carrillo and his staff, Eden Valley Center and their dedicated staff, VNA and SVMH for the care they provided to our mother over many years.
A Rosary will be held Thursday May 9, 2013 at 7:00 p.m., at Whitehurst Grim Funeral Service in King City and a Memorial Mass will be held Friday, May 10, 2013 at 10:30 a.m., at St. John's Catholic Church in King City.
The family asks that donations be made to Legal Services for Seniors who advocate for seniors like our beloved Raquel in our community.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Tia - You will be sorely missed by all who have been honored to have met and to be related to you. I'm so glad to have known you and your beautiful daughter, Star and her family. We love and miss you. Star - your Mom could have never had a better daughter in you. You can take solice in knowing you made her happy when she needed it most. Love, Vicente y Maureen.
Vincent Martinez
May 28, 2013
May 13,2013
I have been deeply saddened by my cousin's passing. I pray that her beautiful caring daughter "Star" will see that God completed His plan by taking Raquel when He did. We rejoice knowing that she is with her life long love whom she believed in. I was in King City one year visiting her and long story short, I admired her statue of Juan Diego in a kneeling position before Our Lady of Guadalupe...a few week on my return home I received that same statue which Raquel sent me. This I have learned from my people in Michoacán, when someone truly likes something you pass it on. Juan Diego is now on my altar kneeling in front of my Lady of Guadalupe and know that I always think of Raquel in prayer as well as her/our family. Raquel you are loved. Dios te tenga en paz.
Frances (Garcia) Frederickson
May 13, 2013
Star,
Mis mas sinceras condolencias,
Disculpa por no estar contigo
en estos dificiles momentos.
Felipe Martinez Frutos
May 10, 2013
Offering my deepest condolences to Star on the loss of your beloved Mother, and also to Brandon ,and Jennifer on the loss of your Beloved Granfmother. She is resting in Heaven now. I send my Love and Prayers to you. I send Love and Light.
Joaquin Casareno
May 10, 2013
Star, Brandon, and Jennifer: You made your mother and grandmother's life rich with your kindness and love. Star, you have been a dedicated daughter and have always advocated on your mother's behalf. She loved you dearly. Remember the happy times you all had with her. Fondly, Pajarito
Deborah Bird
May 8, 2013
Star, I am so sorry for your loss. She is resting in heaven with the angels and our Lord.
Norma Garcia
May 8, 2013
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
Whitehurst Grim Funeral Service
May 7, 2013
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CLOSED - Whitehurst Grim Funeral Service - King City429 Bassett Street , King City, CA 93930
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