Esther G. Martinez

Esther Garcia Martinez was born on August 14, 1931 in Banning, CA, to Cayetano and Maria Miranda Garcia. She was raised in Brawley, CA along with her 5 sisters and 3 brothers. There were 9 children, but Esther said she always knew she was her mom’s favorite. Growing up, she had a lot of fun living on the ranch her dad farmed. They survived off of that ranch, which consisted of goats, chickens, a cow, a horse, and plenty of fruits and vegetables. She spent her childhood helping her parents pick the crops her dad planted. She would get up early in the morning to pick fruits and vegetables before running off to catch the bus for school.

At 18 years of age, Esther met Frank Martinez. Shortly after, the army drafted him to fight in the Korean War. They became pen pals. When he returned, they got married and moved to San Fernando for a few years. They later moved to Fresno, bought a home, and started a family. Esther and Frank had 3 children. Peter came first. 4 years later, Louie, and 9 years after that, came Christy. Esther loved to tell the story about when she found out she was having a 3rd baby. She says as soon as the doctor confirmed she was having another baby, Peter ran out of the doctor’s office crying because he thought they would never be able to go to Disneyland again and he would never get a new bike because now the baby would have all the attention. He was certain this new baby was going to ruin everything. When she was born, Esther reassured Peter that it would all be fine and that when Christy grew up, she would make him homemade tortillas. To this day, Peter says he has yet to see his sister make a single tortilla.

Esther loved everyone in her family deeply. She did whatever she could to help those she cared about. She even helped 3 of her nephews fulfill their college dreams.

Esther became a widow at a young age. It was then, after many years of being a stay-at-home mom, that she began her career as an emergency room medical interpreter at Valley Medical Center. While working at the hospital, she met Carlos Flores, who became her lifelong partner. She retired from VMC after 20 years.

Esther devoted the rest of her life to being a Grandma and Great-Grandma. One of the things that will be missed the most about Esther is her cooking. No one would ever leave her house without eating a meal. Even if you didn’t come to her house hungry, you ate. She would refuse to take “No” for an answer. Her homemade flour tortillas and beans with extra cheese will forever be a favorite.

Esther had only four grandchildren, but they had so much fun every time they stayed at Grandma and Grandpa’s. Whether they were jumping from the couches, WWF wrestling, or playing football (and accidentally smashing Grandma’s flowers), they could do no wrong in her eyes. Well, except when they were being too loud past 7:00 because she was trying to watch her novelas! Esther would do anything to make them happy when they were with her, including taking them to buy donuts at midnight. Esther always made sure her grandchildren knew how much she loved them. Esther also had 6 great grandchildren.

Esther lived a good life. Some of her favorite pastimes were traveling to her favorite casinos and spending time with her family. The unconditional love shared by her family stems from Esther, who was, and always will be, the rock of our family.

The family would like to thank everyone for being here to acknowledge and celebrate the life of Esther G. Martinez.

A rosary & funeral mass for Esther will be held Friday, August 2, 2019 at 9:00 am at Sacred Heart, 2140 N. Cedar Ave, Fresno, CA 93703. An interment will occur at St. Peter's Cemetery.