Amelia Martinez

Amelia Villarreal Martínez entered into eternal rest and joined her beloved, Pedro, on Tuesday, February 9, 2016, surrounded by her loving immediate and extended family. She was born in San Carlos, Vallecillo, Nuevo León, México, on April 1, 1934, to Manuela Escamilla and Pablo Villarreal. She received her early education in México. She married Pedro O. Martínez on December 6, 1952 in México and they began their family settling in Grandview, Washington, in 1962. Their young family worked together harvesting asparagus, cherries, pears, currants, plums, grapes, and many other crops. Pedro and Amelia raised their family and worked alongside the Elizalde, Moreno, Esparza, Martínez and Magañas families. Later in life Amelia obtained her certification and licensure to operate an at-home daycare business.

Amelia is survived by her seven sons, two daughters and their families;

Anselmo (Tammy) and daughter Kristina of Pasco;

Celia Castañeda (Daniel) and children Raquel and Demetrio of Grandview;

Pedro Jr. of Warden;
Jaime of Sunnyside and children Angela, Yakima; Sierra (Carlos), Grandview; and Julio of Kennewick;

Joe (Lupe) of Grandview and daughter Danika of Seattle;

Miroslava Saenz (Gilbert) of Grandview and children Andrea Martinez (Alex), Prosser; and David Gallegos (Summer) of Richland;

Pablo of Warden;

Concepción of San Diego, CA

Francisco and daughter Elsa of Grandview

She is also survived by ten great-grandchildren:  Giana, Anthony, Aniah, Andel, Alexis, Miarah, Serenity, Valant, Layla, and A’Rihanna.

Amelia is also survived by her seven siblings:

Natividad Escamilla, Delray Beach, Florida

Sofía (Luis) Ésquivel, Sabinas Hidalgo, México

Elizardo (Irma Nelia), San Antonio, Texas

Marín (Lucila) Villarreal, Waukegan, Illinois

Mario (Angélica) Villarreal, Sabinas Hidalgo, Mexico

Baldemar (Josefina) Villarreal, San Antonio, Texas

Paula Acevedo, Sabinas Hidalgo, México

She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-one years, Pedro O. Martínez, an infant son, her parents, Pablo Villarreal and Manuela Escamilla; sister, Edelmira Piñales; grandsons, Manuel and Pete III, Martínez.

Amelia Villarreal married Pedro O. Martínez on December 6, 1952, in México and began their family.  Amelia often shared she was first attracted to Dad because of his talented dancing skills and Pedro was smitten by Amelia’s beauty and quick wit. Pedro and Amelia were known to attend dances up and down the Yakima Valley for all occasions throughout their years, dancing the night away with Tío Jose and Tía Benita Elizalde by their side. Having settled far from her own immediate family, Amelia formed a sisterhood with “hermanas,” Lucía Moreno, Armandina Moreno, Janie Loera, María Gonzalez, Tía Santa Jiménez, Dominga Esparza and Donaciana Muñoz; and her esteemed comadres, Ramona Magañas and Concha Garza, all with whom she shared strong, long-standing bonds. Amelia truly treasured her relationship with her sister-in-law, Benita Elizalde, and niece, Pancha Leinweber, with whom she shared many laughs, cuentos and fond memories.

Although there was mileage distance between her and her siblings, Amelia spent countless hours talking to them by phone. Her Friday night conversations with Tía Nati were her weekly highlight. She would also share with us the adventures of Tío Chalo and Tío Marín. Although some of us had not met some of her siblings and their children, we certainly felt we had through ‘Ma’s stories. She was eagerly awaiting her doctor’s release to continue with a family-planned April trip to San Antonio with Sally, Joe, Lava and their families to visit her brothers, Chalo and Vale, and their families.

Amelia enjoyed spending time outdoors with her flawless flowers, often requesting selfies with her flowers! She also enjoyed helping Pedro tend to his impeccable garden, spending countless hours ensuring care for the garlic, tomatoes, jalapeños, and cilantro for her salsa. Pancho recalls her voice carrying very vividly from the garden all the way across the street to the neighbors--even recently--when summoning him home.  She also enjoyed venturing out on weekly casino outings; watching Univisión novelas along with westerns, current events with “El Gordo y La Flaca,” and the local news; and reading about home remedios.

“Ama” enjoyed spending time with her large family and is fondly remembered for making them her specialties of caldo, menudo, arroz y frijoles, tamales and tacos. Andrea particularly enjoyed the weekly tacos Grandma would take her at work (coincidentally at Legends!). ‘Ma had a knack for creating savory meals from leftovers such as her turkey guizo that far outshined the traditional turkey dinner. We couldn’t wait for those leftovers!

Today’s social media applications do not compare to Ma’s sharp memory and clever wit. Before Facebook, she knew every face and never forgot a name. She was better than Twitter or SnapChat; she was the live feed remembering every ahijado and ahijada, relative, friend, AND their children, and so on. Joe recalls her consistently expressed frustration when he didn’t recall an individual, “Tu sabes!” then would continue with her story.

Her children and grandchildren doted on her. She had her private R.N. (Sally), personal assistant (Lava), lawn maintenance crew (Joe, Pancho and the boys), carpenter (Anselmo), chauffeur (Demetrio, who to his dismay was paid with Cheetos Puffs!), documentarians (Danika and Raquel), BBQ chef (David), handymen (Daniel and Gilbert), and constant companion (Andrea). Everyone knew when bringing Grandma treats, Cheetos Puffs, Dairy Queen Pepsi or pineapple sundaes were high on her list.

The grandchildren recall many fond memories with Grandma:

She could animatedly narrate a movie or TV show like no other regardless of whether it was Spanish or English.
The entertaining, repeated drives over the old Dairy Queen bridge were the preferred treat to the ice cream.
She owned Pleasant Avenue when jetting them to sporting events and other activities.
When she had reached her limit with them, her trademark words were, “Ve con tu Nana!”

Life brings challenges and tribulations and Amelia encountered her share. Losing Pedro was devastating and brought her tremendous grief. Although she had ailments and health concerns, she was very fortunate to have her own private R.N. to assist her. Celia (Sally) provided her quality at-home care and trained Lava to assist. Together, her daughters took loving care of Grandma throughout the years and particularly since ‘Pa’s passing and her recent December illness. They nursed her from immobility to a return to her slower self. Just this past weekend, with Lava’s help, she made what would be her last “caldo de res” which several family members would be fortunate to savor with her. We’ll also treasure her remaining limited quantity of jars of her homemade chile.

The Martínez family has suffered tremendous losses, losing ‘Pa in 2013 and now ‘Ma; we are saddened yet we have a very strong foundation with which to build our future. We are Pedro and Amelia’s sons and daughters, and we’ll continue to instill the values of love, faith, family, laughter, and work ethic in our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Our legacy is: one another. 

Viewing and visitation will be held on Thursday, February 11, 2016 from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM with a recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:00 PM at the Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Grandview, WA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 12, 2016 at 1:00 PM at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Grandview, WA. with burial to follow at East Prosser Cemetery in Prosser, WA. Those wishing to sign Amelia’s on line memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com Smith Funeral Homes Ltd. in care of arrangements.

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