Refugio Martinez Fernandez

Refugio Martinez Fernandez was born in Durango, Mexico, on March 6, 1909. She was born into a family of nine sisters and two brothers. One brother died at an early age so there were 10 children growing up on a ranch in Durango. Her sister, Nancy, said Ruth was the most beautiful of all the girls.

Her father owned a successful meat market and her mother cared for the children. When Pancho Villa rode through Mexico, he took the ranch of the Martinez Family. Ruth remembers Pancho Villa carrying her two year old sister, Mercedes, on his shoulders. With nothing left, her father moved his family north to the United States. They moved to Texas when Ruth was three years old. Later as a teenager, she moved to Los Angeles, California. That is where she reunited with her childhood friend, Jesus Fernandez. In Durango, their romance was not meant to be, so they remained friends. Later in Los Angeles after a short courtship, they married in their twenties and began their life together.

Working hard to earn enough money to start their own business, they finally opened a Tortilleria in Los Angeles in the 1930's. They enjoyed a successful business and sold their hand made tamales, tortillas and Mexican bread to restaurants and retail stores in the Los Angeles area. Ruth's tamales were famous throughout the city. They belonged to the Chamber of Commerce, Community Service Clubs and were active in their Church. They loved to dance and socialize and would host large parties for friends.

With success under foot, they wanted to start a family and were blessed with a son, Joseph, who they lovingly called “Pepe”. Tragically, he died in a drowning accident at age eight. A few years later they added a beautiful young daughter to their family who they named Alicia.

After many years of marriage, they divorced. Ruth went to work for Morgan’s Laundry and then onto Silton Brothers in Los Angeles where they often told her she was their most valued employee. Jesus moved to Delano, California, opened up a small business and passed away there in the 1960’s. At age 65, her daughter, Alicia, son-in-law, Victor and Grandchildren urged her to retire and enjoy life. After retiring, it didn’t take long before she joined two Senior Social Clubs. At one, she was the Secretary and at the other she was the Hospitality Chairman. She has always been active in her church throughout her life and after retirement would read scripture every Sunday.

Her great-grandchildren, William and Nicole, describe her as a kind, generous and outgoing Great-Grandma with a great sense of humor. Yolanda, Kathleen, Victor, her grandchildren, just call her an Angel. She would always bless them and was generous with her love and anything that she had. She would always say, ‘Go get my purse and take whatever you need’. They would reply, “We don’t need your money, Grandma, just your love and blessings. Cynthia, her granddaughter-in law, considers her “Grandma” and loves her. She often recalls the blessing that she gave to her. Her blessings were powerful. When Kathy and her future husband, Bill, went to her house on Christmas Eve 39 years ago she was there busy making tamales. Bill remembers the delicious aroma and the best tamale he had ever eaten. Her daughter Alicia, recalls her generosity and that her mother would always say to her “ When someone comes to visit, as a sign of respect, you always offer them something to eat or drink, even if all you have to offer is a glass of water.” Her son-in-law, Victor, remembers how strong Ruth was in body and mind. He describes how she would throw a 100 lb sack of flour over her shoulder.

When she was no longer able to live alone she moved in with Alicia and Victor and they took care of her. After 20 years, she needed more care and social activities so she moved to Regency Park Oak Knoll in Pasadena in March 2006. She filled her time with family visits, playing her beloved Bingo, going on outings, and making friends with residents and staff who lovingly called her “Cucita”.

At 101 years old, she needed special care so she moved to Villa Scalabrini Special Care Unit in Sun Valley in September 2010. There she made new friends who lovingly called her “Chata”. She was loved for her great sense of humor and her kind and loving ways. She was the echo at Bingo calling out the numbers when she could no longer play the game. She loved going to Mass and Rosary.

Refugio made her transition at 105 years old on December 24, 2014. She will be missed by her family and friends. Thank you for celebrating her life. She will now be our loving Angel who watches over us.