Rita Martinez

Rita Martinez, 100, a person for all people, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008, surrounded by family at a Fort Worth care facility. Service: Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Stephens Catholic Church, 1802 Bethel Road, Weatherford. Interment: Memory Gardens of the Valley Memorial Park. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at White's Funeral Home, 130 Houston Ave., Weatherford. Rosary will be said prior to Mass. Rita Martinez was born in Durango, Mexico, on May 22, 1908, daughter of the late Patrick and Visenta Chaves Martinez. She was a firm but loving mother and dearly loved her family. Rita made her career as a caregiver and in the 1980s was honored at Disneyland for her caregiving. She was married to Patrick Martinez for 60 years prior to his passing in 1989. Rita was known for her great sense of humor. Rita moved to Weatherford in 1994 and was a member of St. Stephens Catholic Church. In addition to her husband, Patrick, Rita was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and two sisters. Survivors: Sons, Ernest Martinez of Fountain Valley, Calif., and Daniel Martinez and wife, June, of Las Vegas, Nev.; daughters, Delores McDonald and Linda Sarslow and husband, Dennis, both of Weatherford; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brother, Basil Martinez of San Bernardino, Calif.; sister, Adeline Dumon and husband, Ed, of Santa Ana, Calif.; brother, Felix Martinez and wife, Joyce, of Hemet, Calif.; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of loving friends.