Connie M Martinez

In Loving Memory of Connie Maria Martinez November 11, 1950 – August 6, 2025

Connie Maria Martinez (Maria Concepcion) 74, passed away peacefully at home on August 6, 2025, surrounded by her loving family after a brief illness.

Born on November 11, 1950, in Ranchitos, Española, New Mexico, Connie was the beloved daughter of Willie and Lucy Salazar. A proud graduate of Española High School, Connie began her lifelong career at Los Alamos National Laboratory the very next day. She dedicated 35 years of service to the Lab, remembered for her strong work ethic and unwavering commitment.

On August 1, 1981, Connie married Joseph Eluid Martinez in Española, NM. Together, they raised a beautiful family and shared 38 years of love before Eluid’s passing on October 20, 2019. Prior to that, Connie was married to James Gonzales, with whom she remained close and considered family until his passing in 2008.

Connie was preceded in death by her Loving husband of 38 years, Joseph Eluid Martinez; her parents, Willie and Lucy Salazar; her mother-in-law, Josefita Martinez-Suazo; her brother, David Salazar; and her sister, Irene Payan, Brother-in-law Frank Serrano and Sister-in-law Ymelda Garcia and husband David and ahijado Eddie Jacquez.

She is survived by her daughters, Debbie Jaramillo (Melvyn) Jennifer Martinez and Lucina Perez, her cherished grandchildren, Christopher Marquez, James Marquez, Julius Jaramillo, Cassandra Jaramillo, Alejandra Jaramillo, Onisha Suarez, Jesse Montoya, Malaki Montoya, and Brittney Montoya; Gustavo, Lucy, Carlitos and Eddie, her precious great-grandchildren: Sophia, Neveah, Aryah, Kammie, Ronan, Amelia, Noah and baby Eli. Her sister Alice Serrano and brother Ronnie Salazar (Marylou), Brothers in law, Max Martinez (Bob) and Billy Martinez, and by her Aunt Mannie Lynch, special cousins Donna Ryder-MacErnie (Gary) and cousins the MacErnie family, many nieces and nephews, and the Gonzales family whom she loved dearly. Three ahijados Leon Vigil, Lupe Grijalva and Sidney Diaz and sister-in-law, Annabelle Lopez and special friend Charlene LaBadie.

More than anything, Connie loved her family fiercely and unconditionally. She was the definition of loyal, generous, and always putting others before herself. Connie was a devoted Catholic with a deep and abiding faith. Her love for God was reflected in the way she lived: with kindness, compassion, and grace.

She was a remarkable wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Her sense of humor was truly one of a kind, and she had a way of making everyone feel respected, seen, and loved. Connie was beautiful inside and out — a light in every room and a source of strength for those around her.

Pallbearers: Christopher Marquez, James Marquez, Jesse Montoya, Malaki Montoya, Leon Vigil and Kyle Gains

Honorary Pallbearers: Julius Jaramillo, Lawrence Serrano, Dean Salazar and nephew Isaiah Salazar

Her legacy of love, laughter, and faith will live on in all who had the blessing of knowing her.

A rosary will be held on August 19, 2025, at DeVargas Funeral Home at 6:00 pm.

Funeral mass will be held on August 20, 2025 at 10:00 at the Santa Cruz de la cañada Catholic church in Santa Cruz

Burial to follow at the National Cemetery of Santa Fe.