Irene Martinez

Irene Gabrillo Martinez, 90 years old passed away under Hospice Care at Caraday, Corpus Christi, Texas. Irene's life really began when she married Domingo J. Martinez, Sr and moving to Corpus Christi where she began her family life that brought her much joy and happiness.

Irene was preceded in death by her daughter Sylvia Yvonne (David) Camacho, and her oldest son, Domingo Martinez J. Martinez, Jr. Her parents, Juan Zoilo and Otila Gabrillo; her eldest sister Esperanza Zardeneta and her six Gabrillo brothers: Juan, Raymond, Raul, Jose, Francisco (Henry) and Nicanor Gabrillo. Father of her children, Domingo J. Martinez, Sr.

She is survived by her oldest daughter, Alice (Manuel) Rios and sons Eduardo Martinez, Javier (Alicia) Martinez and Marcos (JoAnn) Martinez as well as many grandchildren and nieces and nephews in Corpus Christi and Laredo.

Irene's father was of Filipino descent. She disliked being known as short & petite but that was her destiny so she would offset that negative by other good attributes like kindness and respect and making people laugh and smile. It wasn’t always an easy task for her, but she always tried. She always encouraged her children to excel in school and be the best example for others to see. She tried desperately to spend quality time with all six of her children.

She learned discipline and respect from the best, growing up in Laredo with all six of her brothers who served in the Armed Forces plus from her sister she acquired her strength and longevity through endurance with life's many struggles. Her sister died at age of 100 years old.

Irene will be remembered most for the love of all her six children. She taught herself to sew dresses for the girls up to elementary and did a very good job. She was addicted to stray cats that at one time she had 21 cats and attempted desperately to feed them all but had to give up and surrendered them under protest as requested by her children.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to all Nursing and other staff at Caraday and Harbor Hospice, Corpus Christi, Texas.

The family will receive condolences on Thursday, December 30, 2021, at Our Lady of Good Counsel, from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM; with a holy rosary to be recited at 10:30 AM, followed by a Mass at 11:00 AM.  Services will conclude that morning.