Delia Martinez

DELIA MARTINEZ September 24, 1929 – November 16, 2024
Delia Martinez passed away after a brief illness on November 16, 2024.
She was 95 years old. Mom was born in San Antonio, Texas and attended local public schools including Sidney Lanier High School. Her Grandmother Dorotea Valdez de Castillo raised her after her mother, Margarita passed away when she was eight years old. She worked at a young age in various jobs and growing up was difficult but somehow with the help of extended family members the obstacles of life were overcome. She was 12 years old when she got her first job at a cleaners by saying she was fourteen. She went on to work at various businesses including La Feria Department Store and Woolworth at the soda fountain where she learned to make a tasty ice cream sundae. She landed a job at Western Union located at the Gunter Hotel where she earned $19 a week delivering telegrams on foot in the downtown area. This was in the era of segregation when a bus trip was a nickel. She married at a young age to Cecilio Martinez and in the early 50's had three children. Gloria, Walter and Rosemary Martinez. Delia and Cecilio divorced in the mid 50's and neither remarried. In an effort to pursue a better life Delia moved to Los Angeles where she was able to find employment in the garment district. She held various jobs and eventually became very knowledgeable of the garment manufacturing industry. Because of her strong work ethic her employers promoted her to supervisory levels within the industry and she was able to stabilize her life.
During her time living in Los Angeles she raised her youngest daughter, Rosemary and would make numerous and routine visits to San Antonio and stayed in touch with her other children and extended family. In 1977 Delia returned to live in San Antonio where she reconnected with her adult children and other family members. She continued to work and later was able to help raise her grandchildren. She was an avid gardener, excellent seamstress and became informed and active in politics including helping her son get elected to the state legislature and city council in the 1980's. In 1993 she opened Maruka a small boutique offering ladies casual fashion apparel and accessories at Market Square Plaza in San Antonio. She operated that store through 2020 and would make quarterly trips to the Dallas Wholesale Apparel Market to purchase merchandise for her boutique. During busy sales periods her daughter Rosemary would help with the store. When she first entered the world of business as a storeowner she was a little intimidated but at the age of 64 and with a background in wardrobe and fashion apparel she dove into it and was very successful. She enjoyed making many friends and welcoming visitors and tourist who visited her boutique and many became repeat customers.
Delia was able to enjoy her family and was very proud of all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was proud that her grandchildren were able to successfully raise families of their own and she was able to see several of her grandchildren successfully complete their higher education. Delia is preceded in death by her parents and her closest cousin Estella Tenorio. She is survived by her brother Henry Salazar; and her children Gloria Carapia, Walter Martinez, Rosemary Martinez; her Grandson Colonel Fernando Lujan and his wife Brianna Keilar Lujan; her Granddaughter Sandi Danneman (Ken); Grand Children Isabel, Andres and Ana Martinez; Great Grand Children Katarina, Vince and James Danneman; Rosalind Lujan, Theodore (Teddy) and Antonio.
The family will celebrate a private family service.
In lieu of flowers the Martinez Family asks for donations to be sent to the charity of your choice.