It is with deep sadness and profound gratitude for a life well lived that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Hope (Esperanza) R. Martinez. Hope was born on April 4, 1924 in Kansas City, Missouri’s Westside and went to be with the Lord on November 9, 2026. She reached to be 102 years and 7 months of life.
Hope was one of eight children born to Severo “Juan” Martin Rodriguez and Margarita Martinez Rodriguez. Hope left Kansas City in 1932 during the Depression at the age of 7 with her family and lived in Mexico City. During her time in Mexico City, she attended school and worked until she returned to Kansas City, Missouri in 1944. Hope was a member of the First Mexican Baptist Church on Kansas City’s Westside where she met her future husband, Adolfo M. Martinez. Adolfo and Hope married on September 18, 1948. They were married for 63 years until the passing of Adolfo in 2012.
Hope retired from the Kansas City Public Schools/Headstart Program after 20 years and even after retirement, Hope worked part time with the Headstart program on the Westside until she was in her 80’s. Hope lived a very active life and enjoyed walking, singing, gardening, knitting, crossword puzzles and cooking. She was a great cook and her tradition was to cook meals on Sunday after church, and we could not eat until she prayed for us and over the food. She cooked for the whole family, her children and grandchildren. When she couldn’t cook anymore, the family carried on the tradition of cooking on Sunday for the whole family. She enjoyed those days because she could visit with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
There is so much more to tell about Hope. She met so many people in her lifetime and made a lot of friends along the way. She could still tell her childhood stories and remember faces and some names. We will miss her smile, her stories and her love for her family and God. We know that she is with our Lord and Savior and is resting in God’s peace. We will miss her.
Hope is survived by her children Marguerite Martinez, Adolfo G. Martinez and Rosa Linda Martinez Aviles of the home; her grandchildren, Andrea M. Madrigal, Angel N. Aviles, Teresa M. Draper and Gabriel A. Aviles. Her great-grandchildren, Natalie A. Blancarte, Gabriela A. Aviles, Maya C. Aviles, Zoe Aviles, Maximus A. Aviles, Isabela C. Aviles, Alexander A. Aviles, Daniel Aviles and Lilah G. Aviles, Felix A. Labrador, Diego J. Labrador, Xavier D. Scott, Brian L. Draper, and Ariana M. Madrigal; her great-great-grandchildren, Cash A. Roberts, Emiliano Aviles, Aziel Ruiz and Elio A. Madrigal. She leaves behind many nieces and nephews and family members whom she loved dearly and always enjoyed their phone calls and visits.
Hope was preceded in death by her husband, Adolfo M. Martinez, and her daughter Leticia Madrigal.
Thank you to Saint Luke’s Hospice and Hospice House for caring for our mother in her last days.
