Juanita Ascencion (Garcia) Martinez, age 84, passed away on Friday, October 27, 2017, at Moab Regional Hospital.
She was born in Monticello, Utah, on April 4, 1933, to Juan Nepomuceno and Isidora Lucela (Jaramillo) Garcia. She was the second oldest of the Garcia children. Juanita was a happy smiling soul. Dancing and music were a part of her youth that molded part of her loving heart. She met and would eventually marry Jose Raymond Martinez on August 13, 1949, in Aztec, New Mexico. Together they started their family in California, but with great sadness their first baby boy passed away. Soon after, Lucille was born, then Karl and then Jerry. They would return to Utah, having a baby girl, Jesse, in Moab, and baby Clifford in Monticello. Unfortunately, once again sadness struck and baby Clifford was returned to our heavenly father as he fell sick. Those moments, not those moments alone, helped shape the strength and belief she held in our savior Jesus Christ as she never wavered.
She worked hard in Moab and Monticello in both the private and service cleaning industry, always with a living, caring heart. We may all believe we were her favorites and honestly she may have a story of each one of us being such. However, the truth is her favorite was when she got to see any of us. That is what she cherished most.
She is survived by her husband Jose; children Karl, Genaro (Charlotte) and Jesse (Gus) Reeves; sisters Mary Ann of California, and Arcenia Tafoya of Denver, Colorado; sister-in-law Nelly Garcia of Denver; brother Benny Garcia of California, stepbrother Tony Maestes of California, stepsisters Rita Amaro and Anita Gonzalez of California and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandkids. She loved them all, including the tons of nieces and nephews!
¡Mi sangre es tu sangre y por siempre te amaré!
She was preceded in death by her two children, two brothers and a sister.
A Funeral Mass will be held in her honor on Friday, November 3, 2017, at 11 a.m. at the St. Pius X Catholic Church. A Rosary will be held on Thursday November 2, 2017, at 7 also at the church. Burial will follow the services at the Monticello City Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.SpanishValleyMortuary.com.
