Elisa Martinez Bustos

She was born December 2nd, 1926 in San Marcos, Texas to Maria and Patricio Martinez. She was raised in San Marcos as well as the small north Texas town of Mertens.

She married the love of her life, Robert E. Bustos of New Braunfels, Texas in 1946 and they relocated to San Antonio where they made their home for the next 50 years.

Elisa is survived by her 7 children John Robert Bustos (Barbara), Michael Bustos, Maria Lopez (Jose), Rose Bustos, Diana Lopez (Manuel), Patricia Lampman (Roger), Cynthia White (Michael), and Connie Sanchez; 26 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Susie Santos, and brother, Robert Martinez. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert of 50 years; parents Maria and Patricio Martinez; brother, Felipe Martinez and sisters, Maria Madgalena Martinez and Beatrice Bustamante.

Elisa always had a warm smile and she loved spending time with family and friends. She was always dressed up, ready to go, with her white pearl necklace and red lipstick. She made it a point to emphasize to her granddaughters the importance of looking your best all the time.

One of her greatest loves was sewing and knitting. After the early death of her parents, all her siblings were separated and Elisa was raised on a farm in Mertens, Texas with her Aunt Rumana and Uncle Jesus. It was there were she attended school and learned how to sew her dresses from sunflower and flour bags. She was proud to tell you how she bought her wedding dress with intentions to redesign the style to her liking. From then she sewed everything and anything including her children’s clothing, her daughters’ wedding gowns, grand-daughters prom dresses, their wedding gowns and her great- grandchildren’s quilts. Her other pastime was knitting. Even as she slowed down over the last year, she never lost her love or desire to knit. If you put a couple of knitting sticks and yarn in her hands, she would take them and start knitting until she had her beautiful end product.

Elisa also loved to grow vegetables and herbs in her garden. Having the experience of living on a farm when she young, Elisa planted, and nurtured delicious vegetables that she would cook within her home. Her family loved to gather around the dining area to watch her prepare her favorite dishes such as her famous menudo, cinnamon oatmeal, pumpkin empanadas, fluffy homemade tortillas and her sweet, crunchy buñuelos to ring in the new year.

Family gatherings were a highlight of Elisa’s life. Having seven children and their children come to her home was a delight. On special occasions, she loved having her brother Robert and her sister-in-law Consuelo over to enjoy family time. The four would sing Spanish corridos in the living room while her brother Robert would play his guitar, enjoying libations and dancing until the late hours of the night.

Elisa loved to attend her family’s special occasions, whether it be a wedding, baptism, grandchild’s school event, anniversary or milestone birthday, she was there! Her great-grandchildren in Houston often had elaborate birthday parties, and Elisa was always there with her granddaughters to help prepare for the big event. Whether it was putting the party favors together, decorating and helping layout the desserts, or simply cleaning, Elisa was there to help out in any way for her great-granddaughters' special day.

Elisa loved to collect items from celebrations. If Elisa came home from attending a wedding, quinceñera, or birthday, she’d always come home with a special memento from the event.

Elisa’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were what she treasured the most in life. She called every grandchild on their birthday, and most of all, loved being one of the first to hold a newborn child of the family. She instilled in every one of her children the importance of family, faith, respect, peace and love.

Elisa’s faith in the Lord was what gave her comfort after the passing of her husband. She often attended mass and you could see how being in church would give her spiritual strength and solace to continue without the love of her life. She had a devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and every night before bed, she’d recite the Holy Rosary, praying for peace, safety and love for her beautiful family.

Elisa lived an extensive and full life. She lost her family at a young age and had to learn to survive and be independent without having anyone to give her confidence, security and love. The little time she had with both her parents, provided her the tools to be resilient during her early teen years. When she met her husband, Robert, she found that security that she once had with her parents. Both were madly in love with each other. They came from hard working families and wanted only to provide more than what they had from their own family. Moving to San Antonio, away from their family, offered them both an opportunity to live comfortably. While Robert worked, Elisa stayed home to care for all her seven children. They were provided a Catholic, private school education and always were a tight knit family.

Elisa is now enjoying eternal life with all her loved ones and can now rest peacefully knowing that her legacy will live on through her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She gave her family so much love and memories that will last eternally for them to enjoy. Her wish was always to stay true to the family and love like there is no tomorrow.

A public visitation will begin at 5:00pm Monday, September 14th with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00pm at Zoeller Funeral Home, 615 Landa St, New Braunfels, Texas. A celebration of life mass will be held on Tuesday, September 15th, 2020 at 10am at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 386 N. Castell Ave, New Braunfels, Texas. Burial will follow at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery located at 301 Peace Avenue, New Braunfels, Texas.