Martha Castellar

Martha Y. Castellar, age 79, of Providence, RI passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family on Sunday July 13, 2025. Martha was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador to Victor Jara and Teodolinda (Jacome) Jara.

Martha came to this country 55 years ago with the desire that any parent has for her children – to prosper in a place where opportunities were more abundant than in the land left behind. In 1970, Martha, husband, and 4 children at the time landed in the Bronx, NY. Later moving to Queens after two years. In 1976, Martha and now her 5 children moved to what became her permanent home, Providence, RI. Martha worked for over 40 years in the jewelry and toy manufacturing industry. Martha enjoyed dancing, Salsa and Cumbia of course, and she loved her sports, especially her Boston Red Sox. Much to the chagrin of her Yankee loving husband, whom she had her last son with, completing our family. You can imagine how the 2004 season was like. Like so many navigating lives in an adopted country, adversities certainly did not skip the family. However, these adversities did not match the strength and resolve that Martha exhibited to her family. Her strength, courage, resiliency and determination were shining examples to all of us. Her strong belief and faith that our Lord and Savior holds out his hand to lift us up and walk with us every day was unwavering. She was the calming presence displayed to those around her.

She was preceded by her parents, Victor Jara and Teodolinda Jacome, her children, Monica Gomez and Cecibel Gomez and her sister, Juana Rosa Guerrero.

Martha is survived by her husband, Adolfo Castellar, Sr.; her children, Elizabeth Espinal and husband Ramon, Wilbert Gomez and wife Tracey, David Gomez and wife Katherine, Cecibel Z. Castillo and husband Alex, Maricela Gomez, and Adolfo Castellar Jr. and wife Jessica; her 16 grandchildren; Stephanie, Alexandra, Elizabeth, Christopher, Gabrielle, Michael, Emily, Isabella, Orlando, Victoria, Olivia, Elias, Ariana, Jameson, Jonah, Amelia, her 7 great-grandchildren; Vladimir, Omar, Jeziah, Jayleen, Ezra, Londyn, Arya, her nieces, nephews, and numerous friends.

The family would like to express a sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff at Brown University Health Cancer Institute and Miriam Hospital who lovingly provided care throughout her fight with pancreatic cancer.

A visitation will be held at Pontarelli-Marino Funeral Home on Friday July 18, 2025, from 9am-11am with the Funeral service starting at 11am. Burial will follow at North Burial Ground Cemetery in Providence, RI. The service will be available for live streaming at https://www.facebook.com/162459317105522.

In lieu of flowers the Family asks that Donations be made to: https://pancan.org/