Victoria V. Martinez

Victoria V. Martínez, 97, passed away on November 9, 2022, at her daughter’s home in Friendswood, Texas. Victoria was born on February 13, 1925, in Hidalgo, Texas, to Eduardo G. and Francisca R. Vela. Victoria attended Hidalgo schools through 8th grade and then attended McAllen High School. She graduated from high school in 1941 and studied at Edinburg Junior College for two years. She then transferred to the University of Texas-Austin to study Home Economics. While in Austin, Victoria met Arnulfo S. Martínez, her future husband. In 1945, she graduated from UT with a bachelor’s degree and secondary certification to teach Home Economics. Victoria, a long-time educator, began her teaching career in San Diego, Texas, before getting married on June 29, 1946. Victoria continued her teaching career in La Grulla and then in Rio Grande City where she taught at West Grammar School for several years. Victoria, Arnulfo, and their children resided in Rio Grande City until 1967 when they moved to Edinburg. Victoria completed her master’s degree in education at Pan American University in the 1970s. She continued her career as an educator in the Edinburg school district until she retired with a total of 39 years of service. Victoria was an active member of her community. She was a member of Pan American Roundtable in Rio Grande City and Edinburg and served as Table Director of the Edinburg Chapter in the 1980s. Victoria was also a charter member of the Catholic Daughters of America, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Court #1993. Moreover, she enjoyed volunteering at Edinburg’s Sacred Heart Church where she served in various capacities. Victoria loved traveling with her husband and family. She visited Mexico, Peru, Spain, Italy, Costa Rica, and several other countries. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family. She helped plan some of the Vela family reunions, including the ones in 1993 and 2007. The Vela family includes the descendants of Salvador and Leonor Zamora Vela, Victoria’s great-great-grandparents. Victoria is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dr. Arnulfo S. Martínez, a brother Crisóforo Vela, and a sister Ninfa Vela. She is survived by a large extended family, including her four children: Victoria M. Contreras, Ph.D. (Roberto), Arnulfo E. Martínez, Esq. (Herminia), Judith Márquez, Ph.D. (Robert), and Ricardo D. Martínez, M.D. (Darlene); 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Additionally, she is survived by two siblings: Eduardo C. Vela (Esther) and Gilbert F. Vela (Beth), and numerous nieces and nephews. She was very loved and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Visitation will be on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a rosary at 6:00 p.m. at Kreidler Funeral Home in McAllen. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Edinburg. Interment will follow at Valley Memorial Gardens in Mission. In lieu of flowers, the family donations can be made in her name to Catholic Daughters of America Scholarship Fund c/o Marissa Vela, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel #1993,P.O. Box 894, Edinburg, TX 78540 or to Pan American Round Table of Edinburg Scholarship Fund, c/o Margot Arevalo 321 S. Closner Blvd. Suite A, Edinburg, TX 78539.

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Victoria V. Martinez

November 9, 2022