Alice Espinosa Martinez

Alice Espinosa Martinez went home to Our Lord surrounded by her family on May 16th, 2014. In spite of being afflicted by polio at a very young age, she was healthy and feisty for nearly all of her 87 years on earth. She passed away peacefully from natural causes.

Alice was born on October 15th, 1926 in Lockhart, TX, however lived most of her life in San Antonio, TX. Alice and her husband Joe were acquaintances in high school and married shortly after Joe returned home from WWII. They remained married for 66 years until the time of Alice’s passing. The strength of Alice and Joe’s marriage and family was rooted in their deep faith in God and the strongly held belief that education is the key to success in life – Alice would often say that “love is not enough” when it comes to marriage and family.

Alice and Joe raised four children and cut many corners to put all four through Catholic School. Alice was very active in parent-teacher organizations, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, St. Jude’s Circle, and numerous committees at St. Mary Magdalene School in San Antonio, TX. Alice was extremely proud of the fact that all her children graduated from college and were working in their own professional fields.

Alice, was a substitute teacher while her kids were in grade school. Then in 1972, together with her sister Mary, Alice operated a small gift shop in San Antonio called “Gifts and Imports” near St. Mary’s University. She later worked in retail sales at Dillard’s in Windsor Park Mall. She would laugh about how hard she worked to teach herself English as a child, only to be asked to speak Spanish in her jobs!

To everyone’s surprise, Alice and Joe moved to the Dallas Metropolitan area in 1991. Only for the love of grandchildren could Alice have ever agreed to leave San Antonio! It is remarkable how this chapter in her life, a time of caring for grandchildren, began with a grandson who last year graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy, and ended with the youngest grandchild and only granddaughter graduating from Ursuline Academy this month. All of Alice and Joe’s grandchildren have been their absolute joy in life.

Alice had a big and bold personality as an adult through her 60s, however mellowed into a sweet and doting grandmother in her 70s and 80s. So there are many people who knew very different sides of Alice! Those of us who knew her well are thankful to have traveled this life with her. We carry with us her gift of faith, her belief in education, and her love for teaching and children.

Alice is survived by her beloved husband Jose C. Martinez, son Joe Anthony Martinez, sons and daughters-in-law: Richard E. and Carrie Martinez, Ruben E. and Gerriann Martinez, and son-in-law and daughter: Milton and Grace Tatum Gabaldon. Alice will forever hold in her heart and in her prayers her beloved grandchildren: Ruben Guillen, Jarrott P. Martinez, Clifton J. Tatum, Ross M. Gabaldon, Christopher R. Martinez, Joel E. Gabaldon, Ryan J. Martinez, and Jessica M. Martinez.

Alice is additionally survived by her brother Emmett Sales, and sisters Mary Garcia, Yolanda Cazares, and Gina Sales, and numerous nephews, nieces, godchildren and their children.

Alice is preceded in death by her parents Emmett and Maxima Sales, brothers Samuel Sales and Orlando Sales, and sister Helen Gonzalez.

Funeral Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Thursday May 22nd, 2014 at 4:30 p.m. at Prince of Peace Catholic Community, 5100 Plano Parkway West / Plano, Texas 75093. Vigil service and Rosary will also be held at Prince of Peace on Wednesday, May 21st, 2014 at 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Prince of Peace, St. Joseph Library (same address as above).