Maricela Martinez

Maricela Martinez Velazquez, born on August 9, 1961, in Reynosa, Tamaulipas passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in Edinburg, Texas on June 1, 2025, after a nearly 4-year battle with cancer. She was the beloved daughter of Leonardo Martinez Gallardo and Maria del Socorro Velazquez Guereca.

Maricela was a force of nature. She was never afraid to confront any problem head on, her resilience and persistence alongside her unwavering faith and devotion to God were crucial to helping her overcome so many challenges in life and she leaves behind a legacy of strength and perseverance that will live on through her sons and her grandchildren.

Maricela raised two boys as a single mother for a decade. When she moved her sons to the Rio Grande Valley in the early 90s, she went from being a homemaker to the sole breadwinner. Her first job after the move was working in the kitchens of the Embassy Suites Hotel, just down the street from the unfurnished, tiny single-bedroom apartment in south McAllen her little family called home. Maricela could not afford to buy a car, so she walked in the very early morning to work every day. Over the last 30 years she devoted herself to working tirelessly in various sales roles and ended up with her own successful independent insurance brokerage business where she earned yearly trips for being a top producer, multiple awards, and a book of clients that loved and cared for her dearly. She was fiercely devoted to helping working class people attain health care coverage and harnessed her extensive network to help her clients achieve peace of mind and have full access to our health care system.

Maricela found great joy in reconnecting with her husband, Richard Antonio Salazar, after over a decade of separation. He was the love of her life, and the positive life changes Richard made, including joining Maricela as a member of the Church of Christ, rebuilt their bond and they were remarried after all those years of separation. When Richard fell ill with brain cancer in 2006, Maricela took charge and lovingly cared for him until his last day. She knew from the time of his diagnosis that his time was limited, and she got to work and made sure she took Richard to his native Chile one last time to be with his family and say his goodbyes before returning to McAllen and passed away surrounded by his loving wife and two sons.

Of all her accomplishments, she was most proud of her two sons, Alex Daniel Salazar and Ricardo Andres Salazar. They were not born into privilege, but Maricela moved mountains to make sure they were not left behind. She knew she didn’t have the connections or wealth to easily open every door of opportunity but relied on her faith and sheer will to make sure her sons were dropped off at the door and she always helped them find the key to unlock their potential. She attended UIL competitions, soccer games, band rehearsals, track meets, and much more all while never missing church and holding down a job to take care of her family. She stood up to anyone that posed a threat to her sons and was fiercely protective of anyone

she loved. Her grit and resilience also came with another, softer side: her infectious, boisterous laugh and a smile that could light up any room. She was devoted to staying positive and always encouraged her sons, family in Christ, relatives, and friends to never be afraid of a challenge and persist. She was the mom with the loudest cheers at the soccer game, the friend that would happily sing you consecutive birthday songs when you were blowing out candles, and Sister-in-Christ that you could count on for every church potluck, conference, and Bible study. Everyone that knew her will dearly miss her, but we will never, ever forget what it meant to have someone like Maricela in their lives.

Maricela is survived by her loving mother Maria del Socorro Velazquez Guereca, eldest son Alex Daniel Salazar, youngest son Ricardo Andres Salazar, sister Marta Laura Rubinstein, brother Juan G. Martinez Velazquez, sister Maria de los Angeles Martinez Velazquez, brother Josue Martinez Velazquez, sister Miriam Eliza Martinez Velazquez, and brother Omar Edgar Martinez Velazquez. Maricela also leaves behind her triplet grandchildren, Porter Joaquin Salazar, Evalyn Harper Salazar, Edith Ainsley Salazar along with many nieces and nephews that loved their Tia Maricela deeply.

Maricela is preceded in death by her father Leonardo Martinez Gallardo, husband Richard Antonio Salazar, sister Evangelina Martinez Velazquez, brother Leonardo de Jesus Martinez Velazquez, and niece Maria de los Angeles Gracia Martinez.

Public visitation will be from 10:00AM – 9:00PM on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at Funeraria del Angel located at 3611 North Taylor Road, Mission, Texas 78573. The Prayer Service and eulogy will be held at the same location at 6:00PM.

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Maricela Martínez Velázquez, nacida el 9 de agosto de 1961 en Reynosa, Tamaulipas, partió serenamente rodeada del amor de su familia en Edinburg, Texas, el 1 de junio de 2025, tras una valiente lucha de casi cuatro años contra el cáncer. Fue la amada hija de Leonardo Martínez Gallardo y María del Socorro Velázquez Guereca, un alma radiante cuya presencia iluminó la vida de todos los que la conocieron.

Maricela fue un torbellino de fuerza y pasión. Nunca temió enfrentar desafío alguno, y su resiliencia, junto con su fe inquebrantable en Dios, la llevó a superar innumerables obstáculos. Su legado de fortaleza y perseverancia vivirá eternamente en sus hijos y nietos, a quienes inspiró con su ejemplo.

Como madre soltera, crió a sus dos hijos durante una década, enfrentándose a adversidades con un coraje indomable. Al mudarse con sus dos hijos al Valle del Río Grande en los años 90, pasó de ser ama de casa a proveedora única, trabajando incansablemente en las cocinas del Embassy Suites Hotel, cerca del modesto apartamento de una habitación en el sur de McAllen que su pequeña familia llamaba hogar. Sin recursos para un automóvil, caminaba cada madrugada al trabajo, demostrando una determinación feroz. Durante los últimos 30 años, se dedicó con pasión a diversas labores de ventas, culminando en su propio negocio de corretaje de seguros, donde brilló como una de las mejores, ganando viajes anuales, numerosos premios y el cariño profundo de sus clientes. Su devoción por ayudar a la clase trabajadora a obtener cobertura médica fue inigualable, utilizando su extensa red para brindarles paz y acceso al sistema de salud.

El reencuentro con su esposo, Richard Antonio Salazar, el amor de su vida, fue un capítulo de inmensa alegría. Tras más de una década separados, su amor renació, fortalecido por los cambios positivos de Richard y su unión con Maricela en la Iglesia de Cristo. Cuando Richard fue diagnosticado con cáncer cerebral en 2006, Maricela asumió su cuidado con un amor inmenso, asegurándose de llevarlo a su Chile natal para despedirse de su familia antes de regresar a McAllen, donde falleció rodeado de su amada esposa y sus dos hijos.

De todos sus logros, Maricela estaba más orgullosa de sus hijos, Alex Daniel Salazar y Ricardo Andrés Salazar. Aunque no nacieron en la abundancia, ella movió montañas para asegurar que nunca se quedaran atrás. Con fe y voluntad inquebrantables, les abrió puertas de oportunidad, asistiendo a competencias de UIL, partidos de fútbol, ensayos de banda, carreras de atletismo y más, sin descuidar su trabajo ni su devoción por la iglesia. Enfrentó con valentía a cualquiera que amenazara a sus hijos, protegiéndolos con ferocidad. Pero también tenía un lado suave: su risa contagiosa y su sonrisa iluminaban cualquier espacio. Siempre positiva, animaba a sus hijos, hermanos en la fe, familiares y amigos a enfrentar los desafíos con perseverancia. Era la madre que gritaba más fuerte en los partidos, la amiga que cantaba con entusiasmo en los cumpleaños y la hermana en Cristo siempre presente

en cada evento de la iglesia. Quienes la conocieron la extrañarán profundamente, pero su impacto perdurará eternamente.

Maricela deja un legado de amor en su madre, María del Socorro Velázquez Guereca; sus hijos, Alex Daniel Salazar y Ricardo Andrés Salazar; sus hermanos, Marta Laura Rubinstein, Juan G. Martínez Velázquez, María de los Ángeles Martínez Velázquez, Josué Martínez Velázquez, Miriam Eliza Martínez Velázquez y Omar Edgar Martínez Velázquez; así como sus nietos trillizos, Porter Joaquín Salazar, Evalyn Harper Salazar y Edith Ainsley Salazar, junto con numerosos sobrinos que adoraban a su tía Maricela.

Le precedieron en la muerte su padre, Leonardo Martínez Gallardo; su esposo, Richard Antonio Salazar; su hermana, Evangelina Martínez Velázquez; su hermano, Leonardo de Jesús Martínez Velázquez; y su sobrina, María de los Ángeles Gracia Martínez.

La visitación pública será de 10:00 a. m. a 9:00 p. m. el martes 10 de junio de 2025 en Funeraria del Ángel, ubicada en 3611 North Taylor Road, Mission, Texas 78573. El servicio de oración y el elogio se llevarán a cabo en el mismo lugar a las 6:00 p. m.