Shirley Martinez

Shirley Mae Martinez, passed away on March 12, 2025, just shy of her 90th birthday. Shirley was born in Platteville, Colorado on September 21, 1935, to the union of Marie Tedisina Martinez and Ruben Thomas Martinez. Shirley has seven full biological siblings, Lillian Sebben, Ruben Martinez Jr., Rosemarie Greer, Pat Espinoza, Nancy Jorgenson, Betty Martinez, and Steve Martinez (deceased).

Shirley married the love of her life, Thomas Lawrence Martinez (deceased), in Denver, Colorado on September 26, 1953. Shirley and Thomas were happily married sixty years and were lifelong residents of Colorado. Shirley is survived by her six biological children, Judy Martinez, Debbie Duran (deceased), Lori Ramos, Lisa Herrera, Thomas Martinez, and Joel Martinez. She leaves behind a legacy of ten grandchildren, Mandy Duran, Jason Sandoval, Lindsey Sandoval, Danielle McCarthy, Aaron Duran, Adrian Herrera (deceased), Anthony Herrera, Andria Herrera, Aalyiah Herrera, Alexia Herrera, eleven great grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

The world seems a bit dimmer without our beloved Shirley, whose strength, compassion, and unwavering love for her family left an indelible mark on the hearts of those who knew her. Shirley, a devoted mother and grandmother, spent her life creating a warm and welcoming home filled with love and laughter. She was the steady rock that her family leaned on in times of joy and sorrow. Her wisdom and kindness were the pillars that held the family together. Shirley's delicious green chili, her heartfelt advice, and her healing hugs are memories her family will cherish forever.

Shirley will be remembered for her fun-loving lively spirit, feisty personality, quick wit, elegance, style and selfless loving nature. She enjoyed spending time with her family, singing at the piano bar, dancing, dressing up in her glitzy style, sneaking off to Black Hawk with her brother, Ruben Jr., thrift shopping, sipping margaritas and Michelada’s, collecting jewelry, and listening to Frank Sinatra. Shirley's influence, love, and care will continue to be felt for generations.

As we mourn the loss of our dear Shirley, let us also celebrate the extraordinary life she lived. Her life was a testament to this sentiment, for her family was her pride and joy, her very sustenance. In these times of sorrow, we invite all those who knew and loved Shirley to share their memories and photos on her memorial page. Let us remember her not just for the void she leaves behind, but for the love she gave, the lives she touched, and the incredible woman she was. Shirley Martinez, your spirit lives on in our hearts, and you will never be forgotten.

“Fairy tales can come true. It can happen to you if You’re young at heart.”
- Frank Sinatra