Cleo Esquibel Martinez

Cleo Esquibel Martinez, age 97, went home to join her husband and children who preceded her in death on the morning of April 2, 2022, peacefully in her sleep. She was preceded in death by her husband, George, son Earl, daughters MaryAnn and Sarah (her consentida) and 2 infant children, Patricia and Gene. Also preceding her in death were 2 grandsons, Roland and Brandon. She was also preceded in death by her siblings, Joe, Eloy, Robert and Beatrice.

Cleo lived a long and healthy life. Cleo dedicated her life to caring for Sarah, her child with Down Syndrome for 59 years. This allowed Sarah to be at home with family. They were companions at the gym, the grocery store, and shopping. With mom around, Sarah was well-taken care of. Imagine what she saw in her 97 years! She had a heart of gold and loved her flowers. Most spring holidays or visits by her children or grandchildren involved one or all of them taking her plants to hang outside or flowers to brighten the kitchen table where she enjoyed hosting her family. She always had coffee ready and cookies in the cookie jar for guests to enjoy. Even as she got up in age and would not go shopping as much her list almost always included both coffee and cookies. As Cleo got older, she still loved when anyone invited her to go somewhere for a ride. She would say no at first because she felt it was a burden to take her, but as soon as her wheelchair came out, so did her purse from under her pillow, along with a sweater "just in case it gets cold". When Cleo would go through different medical procedures, doctors were astounded at how quickly she would recover. Little did they know she pushed herself to be able to go home.

Cleo is survived by her children: Carl (Jessica), Elmer (Eleanor), Angela, Lorrie (James), Jeannette, Rosaline (Tony), and Yvonne. She is also survived by 2 grandchildren she raised, Jeff and Pam (Carlos). Also surviving her are 15 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. She is also survived by several extended family members. Special thanks to Cleo's caregivers who provided company and care for several years, Sofia Almeida, Mary Sanchez and Ivonne Mendoza.

Pallbearers are Elmer Martinez, Carl Martinez, Jeannette Martinez, Eric Martinez, Glen Smith Jr., and Anthony Martinez. 

Public viewing will beging at 6:30 followed by the praying of the Rosary on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, 7PM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Velarde, NM.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, 11AM at Our Lady of Guadalupe.  Burial will follow at a later date at Santa Fe National Cemetery.