Martha Eredia

1912 - 2017

Martha Eredia
Jul 8, 1912-Mar 13, 2017
Resident of Aptos
Martha Ruth Eredia passed away on March 13, 2017 at home in Aptos where she lived with her son, Barney Eredia, and his wife, Emily Buchbinder. She was 104 years and 289 days old.
Martha was born at home in Riverside, California. The doctor recorded her birth as occurring on July 8, 1912, although her mother swore that her real birthday was July 18. She only completed school to the fourth grade because she had to work to help support the family and take care of her brother who had epilepsy. She was crowned beauty queen of Modesto around 1930.
She met her future husband Ramon Eredia while working at the pool hall/barbershop/café her father owned. Ramon went into the shop to apply as a barber. When he set eyes on Martha, he told her he was going to marry her. Martha and Ramon wed when she was twenty years old.
During the Great Depression she worked alongside her husband and parents as a migrant farmworker. Their first child, Alice, was born shortly after they arrived in Half Moon Bay to pick peas. Because she was so close to giving birth and because they were so poor that they couldn't afford not to work, they loaded a bed into the back of their truck on their way to the job, so Martha wouldn't have to give birth on a dirt floor. They had two more children, Raymond and Barney.
Martha worked hard all of her life and knew how to stretch a dollar. During WWII, she attended a meeting on how to economize during the war. After leaving the meeting, she commented "I could teach them a thing or two!"
Martha's cooking was legendary. She made everything from scratch, and her family always ate well.
Martha was a devout Catholic. She went to church every Sunday up until her late 90s. Although she only had a fourth grade education, she read her bible regularly.
Martha is survived by her son Barney Eredia (Emily Buchbinder), sister Elma Almanza, daughter-in-law Myrna Eredia, grandchildren Donald Haugh (Jan Haugh), Allison Brothers (Chris), Gary Eredia, Jerry Eredia (Brenda Eredia), Christian Eredia, and Chanin Eredia. She was preceded in death by her husband Ramon Eredia, children Alice Haugh and Raymond Eredia, and granddaughter Debbie Eredia. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank her niece Shirley Ann Low, her husband Billy Joe Low and their family for taking care of Martha for many years. In addition, the family thanks Maria Tapia, Martha's honorary niece, for the care she gave Martha in the last two years of her life.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Santa Cruz County, 940 Disc Drive, Scotts Valley, California 95066, www.hospicesantacruz.org.
A viewing and rosary to be held on 3/23/17 at 2:00-4:00 pm followed by rosary at Franklin & Downs, 1050 McHenry Ave. Modesto, CA. A funeral mass on 3/24/17 at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Fatima, 505 W. Granger, Modesto, CA followed by internment at St Stan Cemetery. After service there will be a lunch reception at Shangri-La China Bistro, 1300 McHenry Ave, Modesto, CA 12:30 to 2:00pm.
Franklin & Downs Funeral Home
1050 McHenry Ave
Modesto, CA 95350


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