Mary "Bonnie" Patricia (Martinez) Rich

May 16, 1936-June 14, 2018

Pat or Bonnie’s journey of life ended in the early morning hours Wednesday after 82 years of devotion to family, hard work, travel, heartache, and joyous moments. Pat was the second daughter to Roberto Patricio Martinez and Barbarita Bosque Martinez and the sister to Elisabeth born in Nacogdoches, Texas on May 16, 1936. Pat’s mother, Barbarita or “Dovey,” established a template for motherly love that would be the hallmark of her life.

The early loss of her mother in 1945 left a broken heart that in many ways would never mend; but was cared for and nurtured by her father, Roberto or “Bobby” as his grandchildren would later call him. Pat saw and would emulate the actions of her father who worked hard, daily through almost crippling arthritis pain, and became the loving source of comfort Pat and “Betty” would need. Pat, like her father, learned that kindness was its own reward as she saw him help many of his struggling neighbors who come to ask Mr. Martinez for help.

Graduating from Nacogdoches High School in 1954, where she was actively involved in numerous social clubs and activities, saw Pat enroll in the Massey Business College on Main Street in Nacogdoches. Upon graduation, Pat worked at numerous jobs across the state. While working for the National Guard in Dallas, Pat met her future husband, Roland Rich. They would marry in 1959 and embarked on various adventure that led them throughout the American Southwest. They began to settle down when her first daughter, Cynthia Renee’ Rich was born in 1960 in Sonora, TX. Moving to Tyler and then finally settling in Lufkin, Pat saw her family grow with the birth of twin sons: Brian Mitchell and Brent Wesley Rich in 1966.

Pat assumed the role of a “stay at home mom,” and made sure her children were actively engaged in activities ranging from piano lessons, VBS, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts to baseball and band. She returned to the work force in 1979 and balanced and maintained her role as working mother. She worked in various positions with JC Penney, working there until 2003.

She became a grandmother to six grandsons and one granddaughter over the years and kept close contacts with various cousins and friends from her time growing up in Nacogdoches. She suffered much loss with the passing of her daughter in 2004, but saw her role expand into that of great-grandmother to three great-grandchildren. Beating cancer and struggling with other ailments never deterred her from showing the love and devotion instilled in her by Dovey and Bobby; her parents. On Wednesday, Pat decided it was time to rest, confident that those she loved were well cared for and aware of her love for them.

Pat is survived by her sister, Betty Arnold; sons, Brian and Brent and their wives Mishelle and Kim; grandchildren, Aaron Landrum, Joshua Rich, Cory Rich, Coach Brendan Rich, Erik Rich, Matthew Rich and Lauren Rich; great-grandchildren, Payton Riley Rich, Sadie Grace Rich and Asher Rich; cousins, Ben Triana, Sherry Arriola Conway, “Jakey Boy” Lazarine, James Arriola and many others.

She is preceded in death by Barbarita and Roberto Martinez; cousins, Ysevl and Mamie Bosque, Jose and Nancy Lopez and their daughter Rita Jo, Margie Lazarine, Robert Gene and Sugar Arriola, her daughter, Cindy Rich-Landrum and her ex-husband Roland Rich.

The pallbearers for Pat will be her proud grandsons: Aaron, Joshua, Cory, Brendan, Erik and Matthew.

Services will be at Cason Monk-Metcalf, 12:00 Noon, Monday, June 18, 2018 with visitation prior to the service starting at 11:00 AM. A reception will follow the service. There will be no graveside service. Rev. Dock Lazarine will officiate.

“Do not mourn me dear; think I am gone, and wait for me, for we shall meet again.” –Maj. Sullivan Ballou, US Army 1861

Mary Patricia Martinez Rich lived 29,979 days…truly lived…she died on but one…do not mourn her passing, celebrate her life.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors.