Elizabeth Martinez Gonzalez

Elizabeth was born on July 14, 1969, to Pedro and Maria Martinez in Harlingen, Texas. She graduated a Cardinal from the 1988 Class of Harlingen High School. She went on to work for the Wound Care Clinic at Valley Baptist Medical Center (VBMC) for 20 years. In 1997, her first-born son, Ruben (or Ruben-itis as she called him), was born on October 20th. He was the sparkle in her eye and was more than proud of the amazing man he’s become.

On January 7, 2006, Elizabeth married the love of her life, Jesus L. Gonzalez. Elizabeth was happy that her family had instantly grown from a family of two to a family of seven that now included her four stepsons, Jr, Omar, Justin, and Orly. Later that year on October 4th, Elizabeth and Jesus, welcomed their only daughter, Alyssa Marie, who quickly knocked Elizabeth from her throne and became the family’s princess. Alyssa was their miracle baby as Elizabeth had already been told she couldn’t bare anymore children as a result of previous chemotherapy treatments from her first battle with breast cancer in 2001.

Fast forward to 2018, Elizabeth was once again diagnosed with cancer, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and won the battle like the warrior she had proved to be. Her final battle began in May of 2021 after being diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor, Astrocytoma. She proved that her faith was greater than any diagnosis and offered daily reminders that she was leaving her fate in the palm of our Lord’s hands. She always said her prognosis was not for the doctors to decide but instead, “God’s will”. Elizabeth believed in everything that was God. She gave it her all, fought her best fight and will always be “La Chingona” to those of us who knew and loved her.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her brother, Narciso Martinez, and father, Pedro R. Martinez. She is survived by her mother, Maria Ercilia Martinez; siblings, Roberto (Julia) Martinez, Eliseo Martinez, Juan “Johnny” Martinez, and Maria “Susie” (Raul) Martinez; husband, Jesus L. Gonzalez; son, Ruben (Abby) Gonzales; daughter, Alyssa Marie Gonzalez; and stepsons, Jesus (Linda) Gonzalez, Jr, Justin (Jennie) Gonzalez, Omar (Amanda) Gonzalez, and Orlando Gonzalez; numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Her family would like to extend their gratitude to those who supported her along her journey including the HHS Class of ’88, Wound Care Clinic, Ismael Yanez, Julio Robles, Martinez Ranch, Spark Power, Rick Morales, Jessica Espinoza, Gentiva Hospice (Diana, Amalia, Ashley, Janie, and Antonia), and Diana Jimenez. While there are too many to mention, we would like to thank everyone who touched Elizabeth’s life directly or indirectly.

Honored to serve as pallbearers will be Roberto Martinez, Eliseo Martinez, Juan Martinez, Ruben Gonzales, Jesus Gonzalez, Jr., Omar Gonzalez, Justin Gonzales, and Orlando Gonzalez.

Visitation will be held at Heavenly Grace Funeral Home at 26873 N. White Ranch Rd., La Feria, TX on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. with a Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Funeral procession will depart to St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Sebastian, Texas on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. for a 10:00 a.m. Catholic Mass. All services will conclude immediately after the Catholic Mass.