Senaida B. Martinez, age 94, of Taylor, passed away peacefully at her home Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, with her family by her side. Senaida was born on June 5, 1928, in Hondo, to Jose and Juanita (Lara) Botello. She grew up with two brothers (Santiago, Marcial) and two sisters (Juanita, Ponciana).
As a child and young adult, she traveled the west and Midwest of the USA with her family as farm laborers. She was a hard worker who loved to tell the story of being the fastest cotton picker in her family, able to fill a bag faster than anyone else.
The family settled in Taylor where she met her husband, Thomas R. Martinez. They married Nov. 8, 1958, and together raised a family of six children – three sons and three daughters. Senaida loved to cook, keep a clean house, and ensure her children were educated, respectful, and hardworking, too. Some of her favorite hobbies were tending to her many plants and flowers, growing a garden, caring for her birds, watching telenovelas, traveling, shopping and visiting with family and friends. Her greatest gift was sharing her love and devotion with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who affectionately called her “Momo.” The nickname stuck and for the last decades of her life, she came to be “Momo” to many others in Taylor, sharing her stories and wisdom with all who would listen.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and four siblings.
Senaida is survived by her six children (and spouses), Thomas E. (Mary) Martinez, Adam D. (Greg) Martinez, Sandra (Mauro) Estrada, Dora (Johnny) Gonzales, Stella (James) Buzan and Joe (Cynthia) Martinez. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and numerous loving nephews and nieces.
Serving as pallbearers are her six grandsons Johnny Gonzales III, Andrew Gonzales, Justin Gonzales, Nicholas Martinez, Derek Martinez, and Moses Buzan. Honorary pallbearers are her eight granddaughters: Tabitha Gonzales, Allison Fuentes, Ashley Estrada, Julie Martinez, Erica Estrada, Gabriella Morett, Amanda Martinez and Mackenzie Buzan.
The family thanks the many caretakers and loving providers who helped bring a smile to Momo’s face every day, and is especially grateful for these nephews, nieces and close family friends, Janie and Patrick Olguin, Lou Ann and Quinto Rubio, Orlando Ramirez, Santiago Botello, Jr., John Botello, Christina Cruz, the late Frances Perez, Esther Alderete, Linda Ochoa, Robert Martinez, Rachel & Cecil Lopez, Lupe Flores, Jesse Castro, Virginia Castro, Lidia Campos, Janie Morales, Tonia Velasquez and Bernice Casarez.
A visitation will be held Monday, Sept. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Providence Funeral Home. A celebration of Senaida’s life will be held Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 10 a.m. at Providence Funeral Home. Interment to follow at the Taylor City Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Providence Funeral Home.
