Lydia "Yiya" Martinez

Lydia was born on March 26, 1942, to Marcos Diaz and Luz Maria Flores in San Juan, Puerto Rico. When she was young, she relocated to New York City, with her maternal family. She became a seamstress. She later worked for the New York City Dept of Health for many years. She and her husband, Rene retired to Tampa, Fl in 1993.

In the late 1950s, Lydia met and fell in love with Rene Martinez and they were married on March 23, 1962. They had 2 daughters: Mercedes and Renee. Lydia was a dedicated wife and mother. Her family meant more to her than anything else in the world. All who knew Lydia admired her style and her class. She was known for her dancing; her cooking and her sense of humor. She was a very happy person who always had a smile on her face and always had a “funny” to share with you.

Lydia was pre-deceased by her husband, Rene Martinez, father: Marcos Diaz; her mother: Luz Maria Flores and her brother: Tony Diaz. She is survived by her brother: Marcus Diaz; her daughters: Mercedes Martinez and Renee Martinez Soto; her grandchildren: Jonathan Rene Vicente and Isabelle Aurora Soto; Son-in-law Brian Soto, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family will receive friends on Sept. 17th, 2024, from 4-6 pm, at Blount and Curry Carrollwood Funeral Home located at 3207 W. Bearss Ave. Tampa, FL. 33618.

Those we love

don’t go away,

they walk beside

us every day.

Unseen, unheard,

but always near,

so loved, so missed,

so very dear.