Sylvia Jean Martinez

Sylvia was born on September 20, 1942, in Tampa, Florida. She was a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, Class of 1960. On September 25, 1960, she married her first love, Gilbert Martinez, with whom she shared many wonderful years.

Sylvia was a homemaker while her three children were young. Later, she worked as a receptionist for Montgomery Ward Credit and NCR.

Sylvia loved to travel with her husband and dear friends. She also loved to cook, shop, and decorate her home. Her home was always open to family, especially every Thanksgiving and Noche Buena, creating wonderful holiday memories that her family will cherish forever.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gilbert Martinez; her parents, Delio “Lingo” and Josephine Pulido; her grandparents, Lee and Lena Salemi; and her lifelong friends, Sonia LaFe, Mary Puleo, and Sylvia Fernandez.

She is survived by her three children, Lori Welch (Lynn), Gilbert Martinez Jr. (Mary Jo), and Yvette Diehm (Ric); her grandchildren, Melanie Rosario Welch, Alexander Joseph Welch (Natasha), Selah Marie Diehm, and Eliana Isabel Martinez; and her great-granddaughter, Amyah Lynn Welch.

She is also survived by her siblings, Diana Torres, Delio Pulido, and Philip Pulido (Bonita); her nieces, Stephanie Crofton (Darin); and Shelby Emplit; her nephews, Ryan Torres, Dane Pulido, and Brendan Pulido (Caitlin); her great-nieces, Sophie Worrell, Ava Torres, and Raegan Pulido; great nephews Hudson Pulido and Dalton Pulido; her cousin, Yolanda Licata; and many other family members and dear friends who will miss her dearly.

A celebration of Sylvia’s life will be held at her home, with details to be announced at a later date.

Rest in Glory, Ma. You are completely healed. We are so blessed to know, without a doubt, that you are with Jesus. We love you, and we are going to miss you more than words can say. But we know that one day, we will see you again.

“Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.’”

John 11:25