Marbella Martinez

Mabella V. Martinez, 69, a lifelong resident of El Rito, NM, passed away suddenly at her home on September 13, 2025.

Marbella lived a life of service caring for her father until his passing, after which she became a manager for Visiting Nurses Service where she advocated for quality care of the elderly members of her immediate and surrounding communities. She continued that service when she was appointed Postmaster of the El Rito Post Office in 1999. After retirement, she cared for her mother and sister Tina until they passed.

Through her actions, she taught that family came first and enjoyed close relationships with her whole family. She loved the time spent over coffee with her sisters, cooking with her grandkids passing on her special recipes, and spending time with her in-laws enjoying music at family gatherings. She also enjoyed creating art and extended that joy by teaching retablo classes to local youth. Her network of friends was immense and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rosario and Cora Lopez and Vicente and Maria Ignacia Lucero, her sisters Orlinda Lopez, Susie Naranjo, and Tina Lucero, brother Jose Rosario Lopez Jr, and beloved nephew Ronald Naranjo.

She is survived by her husband, Jose Benito Martinez; children Angelica (Casiano) Armenta, Jose (Dorys) Martinez Jr., and Elaine Martinez; grandchildren Nicolas and Carolina Armenta, Jose Gabriel and Adriana Martinez, Joaquin, Andres, and Santiago Valencia; sisters Delia Trujillo, Dorain (Rudy) Maestas, Christine (Raymond) Trujillo; and brothers Roman (Susie) Lopez and Andy Lopez, close cousin Viola (Joe) Madrid and many beloved in-laws, nieces and nephews.

A viewing Is scheduled for Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 6:00 pm at DeVargas Funeral Home in Espanola, NM. A Rosary will be recited on Friday, September 19, 2025, at the San Juan Nepomuceno Catholic Church at 9:00 am, with a funeral mass to follow at 11:00 am, at Valley Bible Baptist Church in Arroyo Seco. Internment will be at the Placitas Cemetery on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 10:00 am.

Serving as Pallbearers are grandsons Joaquin, Gabriel, Andres, Santiago, Nicolas, and godson Jerome Naranjo. Honorary Pallbearers are nephews Matthew Trujillo and Miguel Martinez, and goddaughters Brenda Hurtado and Bianca Romo.

The family of Marbella Martinez has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the beautiful Espanola Valley. 505-747-7477