Virginia (Marie) Martinez

Born January 13, 1932 in San Luis, Colorado

Sent to Heaven January 18, 2017

Preceded in death by:

Ross (husband)

Anthony (son)

April (granddaughter)

Mother of:

Ron Martinez

Janet (Dave) Martinez

Anthony (dec.) (Mona) Martinez

Seven Grandchildren (Michael, Jennifer, Chris, April (dec.), Jeff, Jesse, and Laura)

Jennifer Marie and Laura Marie are both named after her.

Thirteen Grandchildren (Jordan, Elijah, Ariana, Marina, Mike, Carlos, Danny, Anthony, Vicente, Madison, Cruz and Kai)

One Great-Granddaughter: Anastazja and expecting Talia in April 2017.

Ross and Virginia were the proprietors of Gina’s Mexican Food, Denver, CO. and Ross’ Grocery, Pueblo, CO.

Virg began her life on this earth in San Luis, Colorado, she was the oldest sister. She was the teacher to her sisters. She adored her older brother Bernie, he could do no wrong.

She married Ross Martinez in Raton, New Mexico. They had three kids together (Ron, Anthony, and Janet ); the light of her life was her children. Virg and Ross shared a passion for business. In the 1950, although Virg was young, in her early 20s, she and Ross bought a small grocery store in Pueblo, CO (Ross’ Grocery Store). Ross worked for the Army Depot and Virg managed the grocery store. She did this with three very young children, It was amazing how she did it all.

In the 1960s, they moved to Englewood, CO., managed the 30 + room Bell Court Motel, on Santa Fe Drive. This is where Janet met her future husband, Dave. Virg had the insight almost 50 years ago, whereby she told Janet that she was going to marry Dave some day.

In the 1970s,Virg worked at a Mexican Restaurant in the Westwood area of Denver, CO. It was there she was taught how to cook Mexican food and she thrived! They bought her first Mexican Restaurant in downtown Denver, Gina’s Mexican Food. It was a small restaurant across the street from the now Colorado Convention Center. The restaurant was only open Monday-Friday, 8 am - 3 pm. She was very successful and around 1973, they sold the downtown restaurant and bought a larger restaurant, Gina’s Mexican Restaurant, on Evans and Jason St., Denver, CO. And again she thrived, they bought Gina’s Mexican Restaurant #2, in Lakewood, CO. As it turned out running two restaurant was a bit too much for her, (as she always wanted to do it all herself), so she sold Gina’s Mexican Restaurant #2. At the restaurant on Evans she had pool tournaments. Ross would take care of the bets (and if you know Ross, you know he did that well), while Virg took care of the ratings, etc. There was so much laughter to be had. Also, at this restaurant, she had the Gina’s Bowling Team. One year she and her friends went on a cruise to Mexico with her bowling team, she loved Acapulco.

During this period, she was nominated for Female Hispanic Business Woman of the Year by the Denver Post (we believe). Guess what, she won Female Hispanic Business Woman of the Year !!!!! They had a huge celebration in downtown Denver. We were so very proud of her.

In the 1980s, she moved to Clifton, Colorado. She bought a small apartment complex, sold it and bought a house with an acre. Oh her new venture now was to have animals. They had pigs, goats, chickens, and of course dogs, (she loved dogs). She became a licensed Foster Care Parent. She took in so many children and made a change in their lives for sure.

While in the Grand Junction area, they joined the Knights of Columbus. They were very busy and loved every moment.

Well back to Denver, in the late 1980s. She continued to provide Foster Care for several children.

Sadly, in 1995, her son, Anthony, passed away unexpectedly in California in a flood-related incident. We believe this heartbreak changed her, she became ill shortly after and never recovered completely. She is recovered now, she is in Heaven with Anthony and her granddaughter (Anthony’s daughter) April.

Although Virg was an amazing businesswoman (given the fact she only had a ninth grade education), her best achievement was her family. She was ALWAYS there for them. Her love was truly unconditional, she listened intently to what a person said, only gave advice if they asked. Although, she was busy with her business, it was not uncommon, if you went to the restaurant, you would find one or more of her grandchildren with her.

Her friends always said she was in the wrong business, she should be Dear Abby, or a psychologist. If they had a problem, the first person they went to was Virg. Not only did she give sound advice, they knew the information was not going to be repeated. She could keep a secret, a TRUE friend for sure.

Now for her sisters. As the oldest, she always knew best and had to voice her authority. She always knew best, as she was the oldest and reminded her young sisters of that fact often, with a smile and expressed nothing but love. Virg was a great cook, but so were her sisters. When they got together to cook something, they all voiced their opinion of what ingredient was best, all at the top of their lungs, they all thought they knew best. However, there was one exception, her sister Vera, (the quiet one) would quickly view her sisters loud interactions, go behind them and quietly add the ingredient she knew would make the dish most delicious. She loved her sisters more than they ever knew.

Virg was the best of everything. Her humor was Awesome, Virg talking to Dave: Dave, You are my favorite-son-law. Dave would smile and think, wow that is so nice. Then Dave told Virg, huh, “I am your ONLY son-in-law,” Virg laughed so much her stomach hurt, and once she finally stopped laughing, she told Dave, “you finally got it.” Even on her last month’s on this world, her granddaughter Jen, asked her: Gramma where did you get the name Virg from? She responded, Virginia of course!

A couple of months before her passing, Janet (J) received a phone call from the Lakewood, Police Department (LPD)

Hello is this Janet Martinez?

J: Yes,

LPD: Are you okay?

J: Yes, why are you asking?

LPD: Is Marie Martinez your mother?

J: Yes.

LPD: She has called us to check on you because she hasn’t heard from you for a few days.

Virg barely remembered how to use her cell phone, but she had enough up-stairs to place a Welfare Check on her daughter !!!!

Janet would lovingly tell her husband, I love you pendejo. Dave would reply, I love you too Janet. When Virg heard this exchange, she started laughing. She told Dave, do you know what pendejo means? Dave responded, no, why? Virg replied, pendejo is dummy in Spanish. Virg was laughing so hard, we thought she was going to pass out.

Virg loved everyone to her core, with two exceptions…. Brick from the series “The Middle” and Flo from the progressive commercial. It was so comical, every time either of these folks were on TV, she would say, “I don‘t know why, but I don‘t like him or her, I know I shouldn‘t, but I just can‘t stand them.”

We wanted to give a special Thank You to our Hospice Nurse, AnnMarie,. She was with us for last 8 years, caring for my dad and mom. She eased our pain with her compassion, advice and of course her expertise. She was no only our Hospice Nurse, she has become our friend.

Heaven has an Angel and her name is Virginia

Until we see you again, Your Loving Family.