Mariza Martinez-Gay

Mariza Martinez Gay was born August 27, 1967 in Adrian, Michigan. She was the eldest child of Nemencio & Graciela Martinez. Mariza peacefully ascended to greater glory, surrounded by over 30 family members & close friends, on April 1, 2014 in Chandler, Arizona.

Mariza attended Adrian High School in Adrian, Michigan where she was a member of the Dance Team & successfully completed the Upward Bound College Preparatory Program. After graduating from Adrian High School in 1985, Mariza attended Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. As an EMU Huron, Mariza was a member of the Dance Team for both Basketball and Football, performing at the California Bowl in 1987.

Upon graduation, Mariza began her teaching career at Bennett Elementary School in Southwest Detroit where she taught for 7 years. During her service with the Detroit Public Schools, Mariza also obtained her Master’s degree in Bilingual Education. In addition to her career, Mariza regularly performed with a University of Michigan Mexican Folkloric Dance & Mariachi group.

Mariza retired from teaching in 1997 choosing to stay home to raise the first of her 3 children. She relocated to Arizona in 1999, immediately after the birth of her second child & became active in MOPS. Mariza then began serving in children's ministry at Chandler Christian Church. In 2008, Mariza resumed her teaching career at Wee Blessings Preschool in Chandler upon its opening.

Mariza was an avid reader, an accomplished dancer, a creative artist & a big dreamer. She remained, however, a strict & tireless mother. Her passion to teach, inspire & positively impact children was apparent both in & out of the classroom as she selflessly cared about & assisted others. The ocean & traveling to warm, tropical locations, hosting & spending time with family & friends brought her true joy.

Mariza is preceded in death by her mother-in-law, Mary Alice Gay and her first cousins, Vince & Alfonso Mungia, Maria Louisa Perez, Roy & Chris Robledo, Michael Sandoval and Victoria McKelrey.

Mariza is survived by her loving husband, Leonard Gay & her three beautiful & accomplished children Michael, Julianna and Erika Gay. She is also survived by her parents, Nemencio & Graciela Martinez, her brother, Michael James Martinez, her father-in-law, Leonard Gay and & her brother-in-law, Franklin Gay. Mariza also leaves behind 11 Aunts and 7 Uncles, her inspirational grandmother, Lucinda Buenrostro Sandoval, 2 nieces, Amanda Martinez & Vanessa Gay and 2 nephews, Austin Martinez & Jonathan Gay.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 7 at 4 PM at Chandler Christian Church 1825 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler, AZ 85286. Viewing will be held on Sunday, April 6 from 5-7 PM at Lakeshore Mortuary 1815 S. Dobson Rd., Mesa, AZ 85202. Please visit www.LakeshoreMort.com. to share your thoughts and memories with Mariza’s family.

Mariza's ashes will be laid to rest at a Memorial Service to be held on Saturday, April 26th @ 10:30am at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 305 Division St, Adrian, MI 49221 (517) 263-4681. Please Visit Mariza's Memorial Website at the link below and also leave an Audio GuestBook message at:1-800-553-0107

Passcode: 75736750

http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Mariza-Martinez-Gay&lc=2414&pid=170497774&mid=5919946&cid=em.legacy.dm.2414.5919946"

Donations can be made in honor of Mariza to any of the below organizations:

http://chandlercc.org/online-giving/

https://www.weeblessingspreschool.com/Pages/MarizaMartinezGayFund.aspx

www.bfq-az.org