Martha Crucet Eguileor

February 23, 1947 – December 2, 2025 - Houston, Texas

People who don’t need an audience to make an impact. Martha was one of those people, and the imprint she leaves behind is quiet, strong, and unmistakable. Martha was born in Havana, Cuba on February 23, 1947. She proudly carried her Cuban heritage, culture, and joy for life with her everywhere she went; the music she gravitated toward, the food she enjoyed, the strength of her character, and the way she treated people. She came to the United States in the early 1960s and began with a kind of courage that was not only impressive, but solid and real.

She married Luis Manuel Eguileor, and together they built a life that was adventurous, loyal, sometimes funny, always genuine. Luis wandered into Sufi teachings and other spiritual trails, and Martha kept the ground steady beneath them. They worked side by side in Miami in real estate and optical businesses, including Only Glasses, Inc., Only Contact Lenses, Inc., and Gables Vision Center, before eventually making their home in Houston. She worked at 20/20 Optical inside the Hermann Eye Center, then years later joined The University of Texas Health Science Center, in the neurology department with the esteemed, Dr. Tetsuo Ashizawa.

Martha spent much of her life helping other people see clearly; literally and figuratively. At home, she cared for her mother, her mother-in-law, and her aunt for many years. She never used the language of sacrifice; she simply did the work of love. When Luis passed unexpectedly in 2010, she continued forward the way she always did, quietly, without collapsing, but with the full weight of the loss still carried with grace.

Stepping back into the optical world, she managed an optical retail business across the Houston area with long-term associates of her husband Luis, Dr. Charles A. Garcia. Her final chapter with the practice was as physician liaison, a tailor-made position for Martha, finessing doctors and patients is a fine art and Martha was a master. At each endeavor in clinic, research, and the optical she was the person who showed up first, stayed later than anyone expected, and simply handled things without asking for credit. She was organized and the foundations she laid for each of the positions in the practice are still felt daily. She wielded her talent with a raised eyebrow, a strong voice, and a style that was unmistakably hers. She called the people she loved “amor mio” and “cariño.” She called her work team “las niñas”, always ready for a fresh pot of coffee to share well into the late afternoons. An occasional night out with the girls celebrating someone’s going away or acceptance to a new program was not unheard of, to say nothing of her support of the art gallery inside of the clinic.

In her later years, Martha found companionship and genuine affection with Arnold Carpio, who became an anchor and a partner when she needed one most. He walked through every challenge with her with love, grace, music and humor. Martha passed away at home on December 2, 2025, with family and friends, without dramatics, without complaint, and taking things one step at a time. She left people better than she found them. She loved fully, deeply, and those of us who knew her felt it every day.

She is survived by her daughters Caresse Van Pelt and husband Scott; Ofelia Eguileor; son Manuel Eguileor and wife Holly; Grandchildren Lazaro, Natalie, Christopher and Marisol; Great Granddaughter Lucia, whose arrival brought her a kind of joy that sustained her through her final days and brother Fernando Crucet.

A Celebration of Life will be held on December 14, 2025 at 4 PM

at the Museum District Eye Center, & Carolyn Garcia Gallery 4704 Montrose Boulevard Houston, TX 77006