Santana Martinez Martinez November 2, 1945 – March 24, 2015

Santana Martinez Martinez from Turlock, CA, died at home, on Tuesday, March 24, 2015.
 Her parents, Isaac and Enedina Martinez and her sister, Severa Martinez Carrillo preceded her in death.
 Left to cherish her memory, are her husband of 44 years, Luis; adult children, JoAnna (Aaron) Martinez Oliva, Turlock, Javier (Marisa Santos), San Jose, CA, grandchild, Niko Martinez, San Jose, CA; sisters, Bertha Martinez Garcia, Ecuador, Heladia Martinez Nardi, Hollister, CA; four sisters-in-law, TX, two brothers-in-law, TX; numerous nephews and nieces from TX, CA, PA, NY; extended family and friends.    
 Her beloved Kilo and Smokey also grieve.
 Santana, “Anne,” was born in Raymondville, TX. Her family moved to Hollister, CA in 1956. She attended Relampago School District, Relampago, TX, continued at R.O. Hardin Elementary School and Sacred Heart Elementary, Hollister, CA, and graduated from San Benito County High School, Hollister, and graduated from San Benito Junior College, Hollister, CA.  
 As a young adult, she sought career opportunities in San Jose, CA where she was employed for a number of years with Pacific Telephone Company.
 Seeking to better mesh job and family, she found her niche as District Office Secretary with the Oak Grove School District. She retired from the Miner Elementary School after 20-plus years of challenging, fulfilling work. This position was at the hub of childrens’ and parents’ transactions that ultimately affected students’ academic careers.
 Santana was the dream neighbor and friend. She strived to bring a smile and cheer to every person who crossed her path. If a lasagna casserole was your birthday wish, she did not hesitate to overcome personal physical discomfort to prepare it. If you’d suffered personal losses, she could spend hours preparing a package that would provide excitement and joy.
 She was compassionate, thoughtful and loving. Her life’s objective was to fill each day with joy and excitement shared with family and friends. Always available to listen and counsel. Her strong faith sustained her through rough times.
 Santana loved the outdoors, lollygagging in her hammock in spring and summer; selecting plants and watching her garden grow; preparing food to share with friends and family, reading, including an occasional raunchy novel, writing greeting cards to commemorate special occasions, always charming with her unmatchable wit and ready repartee, the center of the loudest group in the bar. Never still when dancing and music were underway, until arthritis caught up with her.
 She enjoyed playing online cards, Scrabble and Bejeweled, and communicating with family and friends via texting and Facebook. Shopping for herself and friends, home decorating, movies, live performances, theater, and travel were pleasurable activities. Santana never met a stranger who did not become a friend.
Rest in Peace, Anne. We miss you and grieve.
March 26, 2015, Turlock, CA