Esther Martinez

Esther Martinez passed peacefully away on February 6, 2019 surrounded by her family.  Esther or “Mama Esther” to so many was defined by her strong faith and her loving ways.  Esther was born in Dallas, Texas on October 2, 1933 to Rogue and Josephine Barrientos.  She had four brothers and a sister and she loved her big family.  She always wanted a big family of her own.  That wish came true when she fell head over heels for Gregory (George) Martinez Sr. They married and together they raised eight children with just the right mixture of love and discipline.  She loved being a wife and mother.   Esther and George knew how to keep a marriage happy.  Every Saturday night the kids went to stay with family and they went out dancing.  She loved dancing to big band music.  Esther and George shared 44 happy years until his death in 1997.  Esther knew how to keep her children happy too and in line.  Her wooden spoon made desserts and treats for the family every single day but also acted as a deterrent if they were acting up.  She has a certain look and hand motion that all the children knew meant to straighten up quickly or the wooden spoon wouldn’t be used for baking.  She was devoted to her family.  She woke up her children every morning for school with a song.  If that didn’t work a bell would be next.  The children can hardly remember a time that music wasn’t playing in the house.  There was always a house full of children – hers and other children in the family she helped raise.  She was a caretaker every day of her life.  She loved to cook for everyone anytime they came over.  Esther loved the holidays when everyone would gather.  Her Thanksgiving dressing was legendary.  Esther was also an avid reader.    She always read the Dallas Morning News with her coffee every morning, the Dallas Times Herald when it was published and the Reader’s Digest.  Esther was a devote Catholic and follower of Jesus Christ.  Prayer was the way of life for her.  She prayed the Devine Mercy prayer every day at 2 pm and prayed the Rosary several times a day.  

Esther joins her parents, siblings and beloved husband in heaven.  She leaves behind, until they meet again, her children Gregory and Sue Martinez, David and Karen Colella, Mike and Georgia Plattero, Cynthia Ava Martinez, Severo and Olga Fernandez, Jimmy and Theresa Bannister, Delia Palavicini, and Anthony and Janie Martinez; grandchildren Thomas and Shanti Martinez, David and April Seeds, Michael Edward Simmons, Amanda Leeanne Simmons, David and Gaye Colella,  Albert and Angela Garza, Bart and Stefani Loewen, Severo Fernandez, Mario and Tara Bannister, Andrew and Kimberly Hincapie, Christopher Palavicini, Vincent and Monica Wojcik, Stephen and Jennifer Martinez Krupinski; and Great Grandchildren Marley Jordan Martinez, Miles Joseph Martinez, Sean Michael Simmons, Andrew Gregory Simmons, Tristan Blake Seeds, Gabriela Marie Seeds, Dylan Schane Crawford, Jake Lee McClain, Aidan Garza, Alana Garza, Norah Jean Loewen, Henry Allen Loewen, Marissa Bannister, Mia Bannister, Mason Wojcik, Matthew Krupinski.

Pall Bearers will be Thomas J. Martinez, Christopher Palavicini, Severo Fernandez, Mario Bannister, Dylan S. Crawford, Michael E. Simmons, Thomas Marquez, Wayne Yniguez and Mike Plattero.  Honoree Pall Bearers will be David M. Colella, Tristan B. Seeds, Sean M. Simmons, Aidan Garza, Miles J. Martinez, Matthew Krupinski, Jake L. McClain, Andrew G. Simmons, Mason Wocjcik, Henry A. Loewen.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 12, 2019 from 5 to 8 pm at Hughes Family Tribute Center with the Rosary being recited at 6 pm.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at St. Monica Church.  Burial will follow at Calvary Hill Cemetery.

Esther’s loving and caring ways will be missed by everyone that knew her.  As she would always close her calls or time with her family “love you much,” until we see you again.