Alicia Martinez

Alicia M. Martinez joined her Heavenly Father on Saturday, January 25th at the age of 93. She will be remembered for her compassionate style and tireless commitment to the well-being of others. She taught so many of us how to live life with, and through others, by the way she approached all the challenges that were presented to her. We are grateful for the time we had with her, and for the positive impact she had on all of us. She will especially be remembered for her deep catholic faith that never wavered. She was a member of Christ the King Church and a Catholic Daughter, Court Isabella Chapter. She was preceded in death by her husband Homero, her parents Ciro and Juanita (Sepulveda) Martinez, her brother Ciro and sister-in-law Carmen and her brothers-in-law Pascual Gonzalez and Eleuterio "Tello" Leal. She is survived by her children Homero (Arlene) Martinez of Laredo, Federico Martinez of Cedar Park, TX, Yleana Martinez of Watertown, MA, Eduardo (Laura) Martinez of Edgewood, NM, and Ysela (Jorge) Arechiga of Laredo, her grandchildren, Chris (Monica), Xavier, Homer III, Evan (Victoria), Manuel, Galen, Emmet Nowlin, Nicolas, JJ, Triana, and two great-granddaughters, Isabella and Mariela, her sisters Delia Leal and Imelda Gonzalez, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Licha was born in Laredo and lived in Mirando City for several years before returning to Laredo, where she graduated from Martin High School in 1938. She married the late Homero L. Martinez in 1948. Licha was also employed at the law firm of Mann and Mann, Neel Title Company, and the Laredo Air Field, later known as the Laredo Air Force Base, and retired as an Import Specialist from the Department of the Treasury, U.S. Customs Service in 1980. Licha loved working with her hands - a skill she passed on to all of her children. She learned the art of sewing from Pepa Davila and was an expert seamstress. She employed these skills as a successful entrepreneur and owner of Heirloom Hobbies, a needle arts and crafts store in Laredo, where she taught the art of knitting, crochet, needlepoint and cross-stitch. Licha was an active member of the Luby's coffee club, the Birthday Club and the Tuesday Music and Literature Club and enjoyed volunteering at Mercy Hospital taking photographs of newborn infants. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, caring sibling, and a great friend to many. The family expresses a very special thank you to Margarita Woods who worked for Licha and Homero for more than 40 years, her doctor Jose M. Garcia, her caretakers Mari, Beti, Rosi and Abby, the staffs of Nursing Consultant Services of Laredo, ALTUS Hospice, and so many friends, neighbors and family members who looked after her. Visitation will be held at 4:00 - 9:00 pm on Tuesday, January 28th at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapel. A Rosary will be recited by the Catholic Daughters at 5 p.m. with a Vigil for the Deceased at 6 p.m. by Rev. Msgr. James Harris. Funeral services will be held at Christ the King Church on Wednesday, January 29th at 09 am. All attending are asked to meet at the church. Private interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes for donations in her name be made to the Christ the King building fund.