Morgan Hill resident, Lupe Lorraine Martinez Villanueva (Leda) 85, died peacefully at her home July 10, 2008. She had been a dialysis patient for the last two and a half years. Leda was born Dec. 12, 1922 in Trinidad, CO to Max and Salome (Lucero) Martinez. She was 5th of 15 brothers and sisters. She attended public schools in Trinidad, CO. As a child, she spent many of her formative years living with her grandparents. She married the love of her-James O. Villanueva (Partner) on Dec. 18, 1948, in Pueblo, CO. She, her husband, and their 2 month old baby girl came to a farm in Morgan Hill(off of Cochrane Rd.) in July 1949 where her parents and siblings were picking apricots. Leda and her husband then moved to Los Gatos where her husband worked on a chicken ranch. They lived there until 1952, and then came to a ranch in Morgan Hill to make a home and raise a family.
While her family was her first and most important priority, she worked seasonally at a cannery in San Jose and also had several house cleaning jobs in Santa Clara. After she retired from cannery work-28 yrs., she continued to clean houses for a few more years. She retired in the early 1990s. During her retirement, she kept busy with her own children and 11 grandchildren-supporting them in any and all activities that they were involved in. She was famous for her cooking, especially enchiladas and prune cakes at Christmas time. She loved to go to flea markets, dance with her husband, “Partner”, collect antiques, crochet, do crafts, watch TV soaps, listen to music, read newspapers and magazines, take rides on Sundays, travel, visit friends and family (especially anyone ill or in need of a friend). She was always there to lend a hand and offer support to those in need. When her children attended Encinal School, she was an active PTA member and helped out for school activities. She was an active Catholic and attended St. Catherine of Alexandria Church since 1953.
Leda’s biggest accomplishment in life was her marriage of 59 years to “Partner”. They raised their children, watched and helped raise grandchildren and now have two great grandchildren. Family was her pride and joy. She was a model of a mother’s unconditional love. She could be counted on to offer advice from her many years of experience. Her concern was always genuine and from the heart. She has been described by many as “precious” and “wonderful”. She touched the lives of many people with her kind and caring ways. “Mama” will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her husband, James; daughter, Hope (Joe) Nunez of Morgan Hill; daughter Mona (Victor) Ramirez of Gonzales, LA; son Jerry (Vicki) Villanueva of Moreno Valley, CA; daughter Bonnie Ayala of Morgan Hill; grandchildren, Tom Esparza Jr. of Morgan Hill, Ali Nunez of Morgan Hill, Fernando Ayala Jr. of Chico, Andrea (Aaron) Rodriguez of Hollister, Jed Sanders of Bakersfield, Joesph Nunez of Morgan Hill, Melissa Ayala of Morgan Hill, Lucas Villanueva of Moreno Valley, Rebecca Villanueva of Moreno Valley, and Peter Villanueva of Moreno Valley.
Leda was preceded in death by her son, Jimmy Max (Jerry’s identical twin) in 1963; granddaughter Abigail Rose Villanueva (Jerry’s daughter) in 1995; sisters Patsy Martinez, Mary Ceballes, Marge Villanueva; brothers Eddie Martinez, Benny Martinez, John Martinez, and Max Martinez all from the Los Angeles area; her parents, Max and Salome Martinez of Los Angeles.
Visitation will be at 3pm on Monday, July 21 with a Rosary at 7:00 P.M. at Johnson Funeral Home in Morgan Hill. A Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, July 22, at 10:00 A.M at St. Catherine Church in Morgan Hill.
