Lydia Martinez

Will of IronHeart of Gold Lydia Grijalva Gomez Martinez, descendant of well known pioneer families in Eastern Arizona and the Gila Valley, was born November 14, 1923. She passed from this life Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at the family home in Safford, Arizona, at the age of 88 years. Lydia was born in Morenci, Arizona, the first born child of Vidal Gomez and (Jesusita) Jessie Grijalva Gomez. Her father, Vidal was an established entrepreneur in a grocery market and in goat ranching near Eagle Creek where a large herd of white Angora goats were ranged. Lydias mother, Jessie, daughter of Jose Grijalva and Maria Cordova Grijalva were well known in the Safford area for garden produce and the dairy herd from which they made and distributed a cheese so popular it was shipped by surface mail to Globe and Miami, Arizona. In 1929, Vidal and Jessie moved to the Richardson place in the verdant Gila Valley where Lydia grew up with her ten sisters and brothers. As the eldest child and eldest daughter, understandably, Lydias affectionate name was Little Mamita. She was a high school student at Solomonville, Arizona, when she became acquainted with Abelardo, son of Gabino and Ramona Recio Martinez. She had met Abe on many occasions when he drove his father Gabino to see her father Vidal on goat business. In spite of Abes credits he had to ask Vidal three times to allow them to marry. Vidal would say no to letting his talented daughter go. After they became engaged in 1940, Abe built a new home in Clifton for her. He had purchased the Johnny Fisher place. Abe had a postal delivery route and sold firewood. They were married with family blessings in 1941, both bringing rich culture and willingness to work hard for what they believed in, to their life together. In 1944, Abe and Lydia purchased what the family refers to as the Silver Creek ranch. In 1948, solidly in the cattle business, they purchased the historic Dix Creek ranch on the San Francisco River, now known as the Martinez Ranch. Thus began more than fifty years of working together to care for family and friends, building the ranch, its resources and standing strong in the face of obstacles. Married for 63 years, Lydia and Abe were guardians of resources-- whether family, friends, their livestock or the land itself. Lydia was known to be proud and strong and responsive to those in need and devout in her faith to her loving creator, Jehovah. Those who know her best will say she refused to waste and loved to share. Few ever left her home empty handed. She is survived by their three sons, Abe Martinez Jr (Sharon) of Pinetop, AZ; Daniel G. Martinez (Stephanie) of Las Vegas, NV; Robert Martinez (Pamela) of Gilbert, AZ; 7 Grandchildren; 11 Great-Grandchildren, and 7 brothers and sisters, Gloria, Sylvia, Angel, Jimmie, Jessie, Marcelina and Olivia. She also leaves behind a host of family and friends who respected, admired and loved her. Lydia is proceeded in death by her loving husband, Abelardo Martinez, and her brothers, Vidal, Robert and Alfonso. . Services and viewing will be held SATURDAY, AUGUST 25TH AT THE LITTLE LEE AUDITORIUM AT THE EASTERN ARIZONA COLLEGE CAMPUS IN THATCHER, AZ. VEIWING WILL BE AT 9:00 A.M. WITH FUNERAL SERVICES AT 10:00 A.M. Services are provided by Caldwell Funeral Chapel, Safford, Arizona. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to: The Ronald McDonald House Hospice of the Gila Valley 501 Roanoke Avenue 1600 S. 20th Ave. Phoenix AZ 85004 Safford, AZ 85546 Phone: 602- 264- 2654 Phone: 928-428-5668