Manuela Martinez

Manuela “Mela” Martinez, 77 from Tolleson, Arizona has been called to be with the Lord on July 17, 2018.  She was born on August 12, 1940 in Saltillo Coahuila, Mexico; daughter of Mariano Alvarado Martinez and Teresa Garcia Martinez.

She was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt and friend.  Mela was devoted to her family as the eldest of 12 siblings.  She also lovingly cared for all her nieces/nephews and grandnieces/grandnephews.  She leaves us a legacy of being humble, selfless and a servant of the Lord.  Mela enjoyed gardening, dancing, classic movies and her passion was cooking.  She is famously known for her delicious tortillas and salsa.  Mela immigrated to the US in 1956 where she worked as a migrant farm worker and in 1998 she proudly became a US citizen.  Later learning many trades she found a job she loved for 19 years as a cafeteria worker at Tolleson Union High School, where she was loved and respected by all her coworkers.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother Julio Martinez.  She is survived by her siblings Reyes, Simon, Mariano Jr., Jose Angel, Maria, Teresa, Refugia (Cuca), Rosemary, Kathy, Yolanda and many extended family members.

Mela has touched the lives of many in a very special way.  Her smile and sparkling eyes are engraved in our hearts forever.  She will be deeply missed.

A rosary service will be held from 6-7 p.m., Thursday, July 26, 2018 at Rogers and Taylor Funeral Home (111 N. 100 E., Tremonton, UT) with a viewing following from 7-8 p.m.   Funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 27, 2018 at the Santa Anna's Catholic Church (760 W. 600 N., Tremonton, UT). Interment will be in the Elwood Cemetery.