Angelina Martinez

On Sunday December 29, 2024, our angel Angelina (Abreu) Martinez was welcomed back to heaven. She passed peacefully surrounded by family in her Fort Salonga home.
Born in Manhattan, New Year's Day 1937, she was the epitome of grace, love, and beauty for each of her 88 years. Beloved wife of Manuel for 65 years, Angelina's legacy lives on in her greatest joy - her family. A role model for all at each stage of her life, her influence is felt everywhere in lessons gently taught. Her accomplishments are wide and far reaching, her spirit noble and generous.
Along the twists and turns of her journey Angelina exhibited : creativity as a licensed hair stylist; temperament, judgement and confidentiality as the Co-Founder, Treasurer and Secretary on the Board of Directors of Utopia Home Care, Inc; unparalleled compassion, empathy and wisdom as a Licensed Certified Social Worker. The beginnings of her professional career saw her imparting her gifts counseling grieving children through Hospice; she was also a revered agent advocating for children with the Departments of Social Services and Child Protective Services. She eventually fulfilled her dream of establishing a private professional practice as a Grief Therapist in which she gave comfort and fostered healing insight for her clients, young and old alike. Aside from earning Woman of the Year designation by multiple professional and cultural organizations, perhaps the most heartfelt affirmation of her success in the field lives on in the babies who were named after her by grateful clients.
Fiercely proud of her Hispanic heritage, she shared with all the culture and cuisine and music and beauty that comes from the Puerto Rican people. In her spare time Angelina mastered a few hobbies. She dazzled on the dance floor with her husband Manuel in competition ballroom, as evidenced by the trophy case. Her formal rose garden provided an annual source of pride. She was a most gracious hostess with legendary fashion sense and a keen eye for design. Angelina always displayed class yet never took herself too seriously.
The matriarch of her family, Angelina was predeceased by her parents and brothers. So fondly remembered by all who knew her, she is deeply missed by her loving husband Manuel lll, devoted children Manuel lV (Karen), Diane (James), David (Suzanne), and Paul. She leaves behind adoring grandchildren Cheryl (Cristian), Manuel V (Jennifer), Antonia (Chris), Amy (Ian), David (Tracy), Louis and Jacqueline, along with great-grandchildren Grace, David lll, Manuel VI, Ford, Charles, and a soon expected baby boy she will hold in heaven before any of us.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in honor of Angelina Martinez to:
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude’s Place
Memphis, TN 38105
www.stjude.org/donate