Martina J. Wethington

Martina Juarez Wethington, 86, of El Paso, Texas passed away October 17, 2026. Martina, born in Coyame, Chihuahua, Mexico on January 30, 1940, was sent across the river as a young child to live with relatives in the United States. It was her mother’s dream that she have opportunity, education, and the potential for a better life. She learned English in a one room schoolhouse in Allamore, Texas, sometimes riding by train with her Tio Jesus to attend school. She went on to attend Sierra Blanca High School where she excelled in academics, played volleyball and basketball as team captain, was a member of the pep squad, as well as a cheerleader, while holding officer positions in Student Council, Future Homemakers of America, and Future Teachers of America, and serving as editor of the school paper and staff member for the yearbook. She was well liked by her classmates and voted Homecoming duchess, princess and Best All Around, before graduating as valedictorian of her class.

She left Sierra Blanca and her teenage days of waitressing at Best Cafe behind, moving to El Paso to attend El Paso Business School where she acquired her business degree. Martina, or Marty, as many called her, entered the workforce, working in administrative positions for General Tire and El Paso Sporting Goods before she moved on to Woolco, 7-Eleven, Rust Tractor, and finally Rockwell/Boeing International where she worked as a Planner. She was extremely hard working, pursuing knowledge at every opportunity by taking advantage of various coursework offered by her employers throughout her career. Her work ethic and intelligence were well matched by her gracious and giving nature, when budget cuts forced layoffs, she chose her own impending retirement to keep another employed. In retirement, she relished her slow mornings, caring for her plants, and being on her own time after having worked most of her life.

Family was essential to Marty and throughout her life she was called upon to care for others. As a young girl and teen she helped care for her grandmother and newborn babies or infant children of various family members. As a young woman, she offered her home to family in times of need and was a dedicated, loving aunt to many nieces and nephews, caring for some daily, and fostering those relationships into adulthood by always offering an ear, sage wisdom, and honest opinions. She regularly traveled to visit family scattered across the Southwest, with her daughters in tow, sharing the gift of her large and loving family. Her daughters, Julie and Melissa were her life. She committed to them through all her efforts and demonstrated the meaning of independence, determination, and perseverance. She always moved forward, when life was hard and sometimes against all odds, she always took care of family and those around her and did her very best with her mother’s dream for her so many years ago.

She was one of seven children born to parents Tomas Juarez and Julia Mendoza Juarez (deceased). Her siblings, Gilberto Juarez, MaRefugio “Cuca” Aguilar, Socorro Juarez, Patricio Juarez, Merced Juarez, and Ricardo “Richi” Juarez, each preceded her in death, as well as her longtime friend Socorro “Keka” De la Rosa Ramirez, who was like a sister to her.

She is survived by her two daughters Julie Wethington-Medina and Melissa Wethington; her sons-in-law Michael Medina and Rene Robledo; her five grandchildren, Megan Mendoza Juarez, Morgan Robledo, Nicholas Medina, Ryder Robledo, and Patrick Medina, whom she treasured and loved hearing from and visiting with; and her great grandchildren Marvel and Madsen, who made her laugh and brightened her day. Survivors also include her close friends/sisters-in-Christ and comadres Phyllis Chrestman and Martha Guillen; her godchildren Gail Chrestman Hayden, Yvonne “Bonnie” Guillen Schinnerer, Imelda Juarez Moya, and Norma Juarez Trevizo; her nieces, Lily Juarez Galindo, with whom she enjoyed many conversations and debates, and Beverly Aguilar, a constant support and friend to her through some of her hardest moments in recent years; her nephews Larry Aguilar and Tony Aguilar, who were her first children, having lived with and cared for them when she moved to El Paso after graduating high school.

The family would like to extend our sincerest appreciation to the exceptional staff at Mariah Oaks Senior Care and TenderCare (Hospice). Their compassion, dedication, and professionalism during this journey were a true blessing. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Martin Funeral Home-East.

Visitation - Monday, November 2, 2026, 5:00pm-9:00pm

Recitation of the Rosary - Monday, November 2, 2026, 7:00pm

Martin Funeral Home East

Funeral Mass - Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 11:00am

La Purisima Socorro Mission

with burial to follow at Sierra Blanca Cemetery

Pallbearers- Morgan Robledo, Nicholas Medina, Ryder Robledo, Patrick Medina, Larry Aguilar, and Tony Aguilar,

Honorary Pallbearers- Megan Mendoza Juarez and Beverly Aguilar

In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving. let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. -PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7