Helen L. Martinez

Helen L Martinez age 79 born on March 21, 1944 a resident of Santa Fe and formally of Nambe, Espanola and Colorado passed away on Tuesday February 27, 2024 with her loving family by her side, she was proceeded in death by her parents: Aaron Lopez Sr and Angelina Lopez; brothers Gilbert Lopez, Ernie Lopez; sisters Lilly Quintana, Delphi Martinez, son Roland Montoya, daughter Marisol Martinez, and grandson Pablo Ortega, Celestino and Aurelia Montoya.

Helen retired from the State of NM Human Services Department in the late 90’s, she liked world traveling with her husband Louis and traveling in their RV. She was a member of Sacred Heart Southern Missions & Sacred Heart Auto League, including giving money to other organizations. Helen was a very happy go lucky person always trying to make people laugh, her light shined bright everywhere she went, She was the life of the party; she was a loving mother, wife, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by husband Louis Martinez; her daughter Kelly Montoya and son Karl Montoya; grandchildren Angelo Ortega and wife Erica Ortega, Shane Montoya, Molly Lucero, Elena Ortega. Great grandchildren Angelo Ortega Jr, Olivia Ortega, David Ortega, Kamilah Ortega. Sisters: Wilma Roybal, Ruby Padilla and husband Sam, Debbie Romero and husband Danny; Brother Aaron Lopez JR and wife Leann; inlaws Genera Cunningham, Irenio and Orlinda Martinez, Mary and David Dillon, Christine Martinez, Fermie and Rudy Lujan, Mary Jane and Oliver  C’debaca, Stella and Paul Montoya, Ernestine and Robert Valdez, James Montoya, Abel and Diane Montoya including numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other loving relatives and friends. 

A rosary will be recited on Thursday March 7, 2024 at 10:30am following a funeral mass at 11:00 at Santa Maria de la Paz Catholic Church. Interment followed at the Rosario Cemetery 1:00pm, followed by a small reception at the parish hall. Serving as pallbearers Angelo Ortega, Shane Montoya, Justin Padilla, Josh Padilla, Raymond Roybal. Honorary pallbearers Anthony Valdez, Chris Montoya, and Lonnie Montoya The family has entrusted the care of their beloved one to Berardinelli Family Funeral Service 505-984-8600 www.berardinellifuneral.com