Dr. Maria Consuelo Martinez

Dr. Maria Consuelo Martinez, 89, of Corpus Christi, Texas, passed away peacefully on March 21, 2025, surrounded by family in her last days.

Consuelo is survived by her nine children: Roosevelt J. Martinez Jr.; Marie Galvan (David) and their children David Christopher (Dina) Galvan (grandchildren Eliana and David Christopher III), Jacob Galvan (grandchild Isabel), Monica M. Manka (grandchildren Christopher, Alivia, and Noah), Teresa (John) De Los Santos (grandchildren Juan, Dylan, John, Roosevelt, Elijah, and Nola), and Mary (Jonathan) Sanchez (grandchildren Samuel and Margot); Cynthia M. Trevino (Rick) and their children Angelica Newmyer (Steve), Danielle Belyeu (Billy) (grandchildren Caleb and Conrad), Drew Trevino (Tracey), Anthony Trevino, Brandon Trevino (Clarissa), and Kelsey Trevino; JoAnna Martinez-Vasquez and her children Lucilla E. Vasquez-Hasewinkle (James) and Gabriel R. Vasquez; Nelda Martinez and her daughter Amanda R. Dickstein (Michael) (grandchildren Hannah, Emma, and Olivia); Fr. Frank X. Martinez; M. Magdalena Baca (Michael) (of Albuquerque, New Mexico) and their children Anna and Antonio; Fr. Peter G. Martinez; and Consuelo "Connie" Iliana Martinez. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 58 years, Roosevelt G. Martinez, her brother Hermilo Garcia, and her parents Pedro V. and Lucila L. Garcia of Alice, Texas.

Dr. Maria Consuelo Martinez retired from Texas A&M University-Kingsville, where she served as the Executive Director of the Department of Special Programs for thirteen years. Prior to that, she taught Psychology at Del Mar Junior College and worked as a high school counselor at Corpus Christi Academy (now St. John Paul II High School). She also taught graduate students grant proposal writing. Alongside her educational career, she partnered with her husband in real estate and home building. Entering college as her oldest children graduated high school, she raised her nine children while earning an Associate of Arts Degree from Del Mar College, a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Corpus Christi State University (CCSU now Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi), a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction, a Master's in Secondary Guidance and Counseling from CCSU, and a Doctorate in Bilingual Education from Texas A&M-Kingsville. As Executive Director, she secured millions in grants, creating a pipeline of student services and academic interventions that enabled hundreds of students to earn undergraduate, master's, and doctorate degrees. Her mentorship inspired future educational leaders. Post-retirement, she assisted the Department of Education as a technical reviewer for grant proposals. Consuelo was the recipient of the YWCA 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award, Y Women In Careers.

Consuelo's spiritual life was extraordinary. She was foundational to the Cursillo Movement, making her retreat in the 1960s and serving as a lay leader, evangelizing countless individuals. She was deeply involved in the Schoenstatt Movement, participated in retreats, and in 1965 co-founded the Catholic Daughters of America at Ss. Cyril & Methodius (Bishop Mariano S. Garriga Court #1935). She served with the San Juan Diego Small Church Community at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, taught religious education for 43 years, and contributed to ACTS Retreats and Search Retreats as a married couple speaker with her husband. She was also active in the Spanish community at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church. Consuelo was a weekly guest contributor (Sundays at 7:00 a.m.) on KLUX radioministry in Spanish reflecting on Sunday readings and how it applies to people's daily lives.

A woman of compassion and grace, Consuelo loved family time at the ranch, playing cards, Chinese Checkers, dominoes, and slot machines. She cherished singing, especially mariachi music, colorful flowers, and found joy in nature. Education-spiritual and academic-was her passion. Inclusive and nonjudgmental, she avoided gossip and believed in listening to children with one's soul. A trailblazer in evangelization, she urged her children to do what is right, not what is easy. Her faith in the Eucharist and the Holy Spirit was unwavering. Growing up outgoing and active, she witnessed mental illness's challenges, fostering her deep empathy for the hurting and alienated.

A rosary will be recited on Friday, March 28, 2025, at 7:00 p.m., Most Precious Blood Church (3502 Saratoga Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78415), with visitation one hour prior.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., Most Precious Blood Church, with visitation one hour prior. A lunch reception will follow in the parish hall. A private graveside service for family will occur later. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. John Paul II High School https://www.jpiihighschool.org/ to honor Dr. Martinez's legacy of faith and education.

Consuelo's life was a symphony of love, faith, and service-her song continues in the hearts of all she touched.