Virginia "Stella" Stella Cruz Martinez
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Stella's obituary
Virginia Stella "Grandma" Cruz Martinez
Celebration - 88 years of Life
May 18, 1929 - August 20, 2017
Virginia Estela (Stella) Cruz Martinez was born in Segundo, Colorado May 18, 1929. Crossed Over on Sunday, in Spring Valley, CA August 20, 2017 at 7:00 am in the arms of her youngest Daughter & Great Grandson.
Stella was the third daughter & eighth of nine surviving children to parents Joseph Urbano Cruz & Adeline Lucero Cruz of Segundo, Colorado.
She was the granddaughter of Reyes & Josephine Lucero and Emanuel & Virginia Barrows Cruz. Niece of Lucy Lucero Sanchez.
Moved from Colorado to San Diego, CA in 1938. Raised on 29th & Broadway Golden Hills and lived there until the her parents 1967 passing.
Alumni of Brooklyn Elementary, Memorial and Roosevelt Jr. Highs & San Diego High School.
Stella met Gilbert Lopez Martinez of National City, Ca at a dance. They married March 20, 1949. She was nineteen.
As newlyweds, they briefly lived in the Mission District of San Francisco, CA. There, Stella gave birth to her first two babies.
Gilbert and Stella just celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary.
In 1967, Stella moved her family to Gowin St in Mount Miguel Terrace in Spring Valley, Ca.
She birthed four children; Gilda Stephanie Reyes (1950) [Arcenio Reyes (1944-1994)], William Stanley (1951-1974), Lawrence Anthony (1955) (spouse: Linda San Agustin) & Gay Rosamond (1958) (partner: Randy Field).
Stella had five grandchildren; Alison Rachelle Reyes (1972) (Partner: Jeff), Erica Justine Reyes (1974) (spouse: Jamel Burt), Mathew Lawrence (estranged) (1980), Rose Estelle Hammontree (1982) and Lauren Analeise (estranged) (1983).
Four Great Grandchildren; Vanessa Tayler Reyes (1994) (Partner: Alex Merino), Sydnee Rachelle Reyes-Burt (2000), Sylvester Ace Brown (2014) and Eve Freya Brown (2015).
One Great Great Grandson; Noble Alexander Reyes-Merino (2016).
Her entire adult life she excelled as being a full time home maker & MOTHER.
Stella was a pool billiards champion in the 1960s.
Her siblings preceded her passing; Emanuel Cruse (1917-1993), Oralia (Lila) Servey (1918-2001), Joseph Benjamin Cruz (1919-1922), Rose Anne aka Rosana & Dodie Cardona (1920-2008), Joe Urbano aka Bill Cruz (1923-1995), Jose Raymond (Ramon) Cruz (1924-1994), Joseph Filemon aka Felix Cruz (1927-2013), lastly, an unnamed baby girl.
Stella was the last individual of her entire generation.
Throughout her life, Stella associated with several clubs and organization such Casa Men's Club, The Eagles, Jehovah Witnesses KH, and Bean Bandits.
Over the past two years, Stella spent many hours, at her favorite places, such as the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, Several Movie theaters but mainly Regal Rancho Del Rey, Por Favors in El Cajon, Napoleon's Pizza and Cafe La Maze in National City.
Over the past six years, Stella endured several ailments which contributed to her decline. Parkinson's 2009, Breast cancer 2011, Broken Hip 2013, Pelvis Cracks 2016, Breast Cancer again 2016. Acquired Home Hospice Care Aug. 2015-2017. Although delicate, she remained lucid & coherent to the last week. Then on Monday, Aug. 13th, she slipped into a partial coma; she was out spoken, controlling, a fighter, generous and loving individual.
Trident Society pre-arranged Cremation services. Ashes are kept with daughter Gay Rosamond Martinez.
Memorial service to Celebrate Stella's life will be held on:
• Saturday, September 9, 2017• from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.• at her 1427 Gowin St home• in Spring Valley Ca.
Information:
• (325)436-5776 or Rosamond@mail.com• facebook.com/groups/135634764…
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