Virginia Martinez

July 19, 1941-July 30, 2016

We are gathered here as family to honor one of our own, Virginia Martinez

who died at age 15 in Los Angeles where she spent most of her life.

She was born in Arizona to parents Albert and Adele Silva.

Her grandparents were of Portuguese, Spanish, and Mexican ancestry.

Virginia had a sister, Juliette, and a brother, Albert. As the youngest

of three children Virginia was an adored child beautiful, playful, and funny.

Virginia produced a wonderful family. She married young, had four children:

David, Alexandria, Denise, Kathleen and April her stepchild.

They in turn produced eleven grandchildren, and three step-grandchildren.

And, they produced fourteen great-grandchildren. Virginia's

children called her mother; her grandchildren called her grandmother

while her great-grandchildren called her GiGi.

We all called her the head of our family. All loved her and she loved her

family unconditionally. She worked at many jobs including insurance adjuster,

photographer, and computer operator. With the help of friends at work

she taught herself fluent Spanish. She was bilingual. As many of you know,

she loved to make up words often combining Spanish and English.

One of her favorites was "mucho good." The life she led was good;

her family members are all good people. Virginia taught us courage,

loyalty, dedication to family, and the importance of God in our lives.

She considered herself Catholic and so it is fitting that we are here

at her favorite church, in the San Gabriel Mission, to say goodbye.

We are grateful for her time with us, saddened and heart broken

by her departure from our lives. And, we are joyful she left so much

love and family. We are proud knowing that we are Virginia Martinez' s legacy.

She would say this is "mucho good."

The eulogy was written by her sister,

Juliette Silva, who was born on the same day as Virginia, seven years apart.

Arrangements under the direction of Pierce Brothers Turner & Stevens Mortuary, San Gabriel, CA.