Irene Martinez Velazquez Cruz

Irene was born November 10, 1936 in Fort Worth, TX. Her mother, Otila Martinez, met her father Antonio Velasquez and were married in 1939. Irene was young when her family moved to Yakima and have resided here ever since.

Irene comes from a very large family and family meant everything to her. Altogether there were 14 brothers and sisters in the family, many of whom grew up in the West Valley area. Irene attended Highland High School. After high school, Irene met and eventually married the love of her life Leo Cruz, Sr, at the age of 19 and they remained together for the next 61 years until his passing in 2016.

She was a housewife and a life-long homemaker, taking care of Leo and her five children. She loved cooking for family and friends, a talent and tradition she shared with her children and grandchildren. Her gift of hospitality was remembered by many and was often accompanied by her homemade tortillas.

Irene loved sitting outside and visiting with family, playing cards and listening to her favorite Mexican group Los Tigres. Irene and Leo loved sports and you would often find them watching their kids, grandkids and great grandkids sporting events throughout the years. She was a regular attendee at the Yakima Beetles, Larson Park softball and any sport at A.C. Davis High School.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband Leo Sr.; her oldest daughter Rosemary (Charles) Walruff of Yakima; stepbrother's Larry Velasquez & Pete Velasquez of Fort Worth, Texas, Henry Romero of Lacey, WA, Tony Velasquez of Yakima, WA, and Alex Velasquez of Chino, CA.

She is survived by her children, Leo Jr, Phil, Tillie (Richard) Miller all of Yakima, WA and Steve Cruz of Oregon; Six grandchildren, Kristina (James) Howes, Shawn (Nicole) Walruff, Danielle (Eric) Pruneda all of Yakima, Jesse (Abbey) Walruff of Cheney, WA, Chris (Laura) Miller of Seattle, Lyndsey (Neale) Jentsch of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. Twelve great grandchildren, Jason, Evan & Allison Howes, Emma, Joshua & Aubrey Walruff, Jesse Jr. & Tycen Walruff, Juliet & Paul Miller, and Ryder & Ryland Jentsch; her siblings Ralph Velasquez of Madison, TN, Josephine McCarthy of Yakima, WA, John Velasquez of Mt. Vernon, WA, and Anna Foster of Yakima, WA; step-brothers Dan Velasquez, Paul Velasquez, Phil Romero of Yakima, WA and Luis Velasquez of Shafter, CA; along with many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at Keith & Keith Funeral Home in Yakima on Saturday, February 11 beginning at 12:00 p.m. Burial will be at West Hills Memorial Park at 1:30 p.m.. A reception will follow at the Well Church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.keithandkeith.com for the Cruz family.