Bertha Martinez

September 28, 1942 – October 27, 2016

Bertha Martinez passed away on October 27, 2016 in Houston, Texas. She was born in San Antonio on September 28, 1942 to Andres Nunez Duarte and Evangelina Cortez Duarte.

Guadalupe Bertha Martinez was a graduate of Fox Tech High School in San Antonio, and of the Nursing School at St. Philips College in San Antonio, earning her LVN degree. She achieved her goal of earning a Bachelor of Science in Social Work at Pan American University Edinburg.

She was a 17-year cancer survivor due to her being a woman of deep faith. She was active in the community as a volunteer serving numerous charitable organizations. She was a mentor for teaching English to Spanish speaking elementary through high school age children.

She was a woman of many talents. She was a painter in abstract art utilizing oils, water colors and other mediums. She was a sculptor in various mediums. She won numerous awards for her avant-garde works of art. She won Best in Show award for an abstract metal and wood mobile representation of the Virgen de Guadalupe. She was designer and owner of Fashions by Duarte in Austin, Texas. She showcased her cutting-edge fashion designs in over 19 fashion shows in Central Texas. Bertha also served as a board member on the Mexican American Culture Center in Austin, Texas.

She was an elected Officer for the Friends of Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.

She loved to travel and did so with her beloved husband and grandchildren.

If God's plan for Bertha was to inspire others to achieve and excel, then this Renaissance woman more than fulfilled His plan.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 36 years, Joseph A. Martinez; their children, Luis Cantu and wife, Christine (Austin, TX), John Edward Cantu and wife Kristi (Austin, TX), Georgina Duarte Cantu (San Marcos, TX), and Damian R. Martinez (Buda, TX); grandchildren, Julian Brandon Galaviz (Leander, TX), Sophia Elena Cantu (Austin, TX), and Ian Alexander Cantu (Austin, TX); siblings, Toni Flores Duarte (San Antonio, TX), Sylvia Duarte Chronister and husband Jim Chronister (Newport Beach, CA), Andrew Duarte, Jr. (San Antonio, TX), Leonard Duarte and wife, Carmen (Austin, TX), Abel Duarte (San Antonio, TX), and Alex Duarte and wife, Cathy (San Antonio, TX). Included are the many nephews and nieces that also loved and cherished her.

A visitation will be held from 5:00pm to 9:00pm at Porter Loring Mortuary on McCullough.

ROSARY

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016

7:30 PM

PORTER LORING MORTUARY

PROCESSION

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016

9:30 AM

FROM PORTER LORING

MASS OF THE RESURRECTION

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016

10:00 AM

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC CHURCH

1321 EL PASO STREET, 78207

Interment will follow at San Fernando Cemetery #2.