Irene Martinez

Irene “Grams” D. Martinez 85, died peacefully Sunday, February 23, 2020 in her home of over 40 years on the Soboba Indian reservation from complications due to pulmonary fibrosis. She was surrounded by her family and friends.

Grams leaves behind 9 children and 19 grandchildren: son Gary, wife Tina - Shelly, Russ, wife Bobbie, Gary II; son Glen, wife Ronda - Nicole, husband Bud, Kimberly, Steven; daughter Joyce, daughter Lois, daughter Doris - Joseph; son Gordon, wife Juanita - Marcelo, wife Ashlie, Jesse, Nathaniel, Jordyn; daughter Maria - Janette, Demaja, Dominique; son Pat, wife Tara - Micheal, Tatiana, Taryn, husband Anthony; son Franko Gonzales, wife Patti - Zachery, Gianna; 20 great grandchildren: Serrena, Amber, Anthony, Brandon; Riley, Bella, Mattie, Danny, Tahlia; Jeremyah, Takoda, Kainoa, Julian, Nathaniel; Analicia, Sunny, Alana, Anaya, Liam, Leilani. 10 great, great grandchildren: Bradley, Zayden, Rose, Cruz, Arthur, Landon, Manda, Ashlynn, Natalie, Anthony II.

Grams also had a very large extended family including: Children - Kenny Razón, Tommy Melendez, David Lopez, Joe Rodriguez, Tami Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Carla Sanchez, Fernando Gomez, Steve Felipe, Connie Fuentes, Reina Gaxiola. Grandchildren: Shelbi Beltran, Justin Rogers; Noah Scott; Chloee and Gus Aguilar; Haley and Laci Rodriguez; Daniel, Chris and Nick Lara; Angel Felipe; Isaac Lopez; Carlos, Alfonso, and Richard Valdez. Grams touched many lives. It could be for a moment, a decade, or a lifetime. It would be impossible to list them all.

Grams was preceded in death by her spouse, Marcelo G. Placencia, father of 9 of her children, in 1979, daughter Lynell in 2004, and grandson Bryan Gonzales in 2012. Extended family members grandson Victor Valdez in 2005, and son Charlie Palmer in 2018. Grams was born at the hospital on the Soboba indian reservation on June 28, 1934. She spent her early years on the Soboba and Torres-Martinez indian reservations. She married Marcelo

G. Placencia and moved to Colton, Ca. to raise their children. She came back to the San Jacinto valley to stay in 1975. Her home was built at Soboba in 1978 and she moved there to live for the rest of her life.

Grams worked many jobs to support her family. Notably she spent 10 years at Deutsch. Grams was a big believer in education. She volunteered at the schools her children attended. She worked at Ahmium Education and at St. Judes school in Soboba where she later served on the school board.

But love of family is where Grams shone brightest. She reached out and extended her love to many. Grams loved to watch her family play sports. Be it basketball, baseball, softball, football, or volleyball. She was an especially big fan of the Soboba women’s softball team and Bryans Blackhawks. She attended many games, often sitting quietly, keeping her comments to herself. Always quick with praise and the occasional sharp rebuke, Grams always let you know how she felt.

She was lucky enough, in her later years, to enjoy traveling. Never one to go alone, she often invited friends and family to accompany her. Whether it was a bingo outing, a Kateri conference, Disneyland, or a trip to Hawaii, the more the merrier. Her light hasn’t been extinguished. It has been divided and given to all her children. We will never forget you Grams.

You will live forever in our hearts.