Arlene Martinez

Arlene V. Martinez, 61 years young, passed away peacefully on February 24th at home surrounded by her family. She loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, read and studied the Bible daily. Preceded in death by her mother, Annie, and father, Gabriel Ornelas. Arlene is survived by husband, Rick Martinez; daughters, Carrie L. Gomez and Sara Gomez; grandsons, Christopher and Jeremiah Gomez; siblings, Gina (Tom) Guerrero, Bill Ornelas, Tommy Ornelas, Audra (Pete Valdez) Ornelas; and stepfather, Archie Velasquez; numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and friends. Leanie, as she was known by family, loved her daughters and most precious gifts from God, her grandchildren. What she loved to do was travel, and especially being near the ocean. Travels took her to Atlantic City, New York, Charleston S.C., Pensacola FL, Phoenix and LA. Arlene graduated high school from Pueblo County in 1973. She wanted to pursue a career in nursing, but health problems would prevent that in 2005. But she would continue her education, and in 2008 she received her Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from CSU-Pueblo. She enjoyed running, riding her bicycle and shopping; she couldn't pass up a sale. Arlene loved to watch "Days" and had it recorded so she wouldn't miss an episode. A Bronco fan who would be the first to yell out "IN-COM-PLETE" against the opposing teams failed pass. Then she would go shopping for purses. Leanie spent many years in Denver where she raised her family. A great cook for green chile' and enchiladas, she baked and loved to have her sweets, including pastries and candy of all kinds, like cinnamon suckers, peanuts with M&M's and candy bars. Then, she went shopping for clothes. She worked at several jobs in Denver where she made friends easily, including Lowry's snack foods. She returned to Pueblo and began working at Boeing where she built wire harnesses for the best rocket in the world. She and her friends there would be known as "Las Chicas". She also met her future husband there who she would marry in 2008. And then she went shopping for shoes. Arlene a creative and talented person she would draw, make Christmas wreaths and even a stone sculpture. Arlene was diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy with Parkinsonism in 2014, a very rare neurological disease without a cure. Symptoms included mild tremors to restless leg syndrome, low blood pressure that might cause her to fall if she stood too quickly after laying or sitting. There would also be loss of motor controls which would eventually cause her to need assistance in all of her daily activities. Through all of this she prayed for a cure so she could remain with her family to make sure they would be alright. When her daughters and grandsons would visit from Denver, nothing else mattered as this was her best medicine. Leanie fought this disease for over three years, but she would lose. A special thank you to her care givers, Gabrielle Pacheco, Mo Cordova and Phyllis Robinson. She is with God now; and when she can leave His side, she will go shopping and get things ready for those to follow. Please donate generously in Arlene's name to https://www.multiplesystematrophy.org. Rosary will be 6 p.m., Wednesday, at Adrian Comer Garden Chapel. Memorial Mass will be 10 a.m., Thursday, March 2, 2017, at St. Joseph Catholic Church.