Jovita Martinez, loving wife, mother and grandmother, passed away October 8, 2006. She was born in Brownsville, TX on November 3, 1936 and moved to Gilroy in 1961. She worked first at I. B. Perch, and later Gilroy Foods, where she retired in 1998 after 26 years. She was an avid 49ers fan and devout parishioner at St Mary Catholic Church. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Alec Martinez; her sons Daniel and Richard Martinez of Gilroy, and Lt. Commander Edward Martinez of Stafford, VA; grandchildren Ryan, Mariah, Liam and Lauren Martinez; her sister Elena D. Vasquez of Brownsville, TX, her brothers, Silvestre Dimas of Fort Worth, TX and David Dimas of Gilroy, CA, sister-in-laws; Consuela and Paula Dimas, Mary Lou Bejar, Josie Amador and her bother-in-law Joe Martinez; and daughter-in-laws Gina and Treva Martinez. She was preceded in death by her father Juan Sr., her mother Micaela; and brothers Santiago and Juan Jr.
Jovita touched the lives of many nieces, nephews, friends and family, and her greatest joy in life was spending time with her grandchildren. She will be missed by all.
Visitation will begin 1 PM Wednesday at Habing Family Funeral Home, followed by a vigil service at 7pm at St. Mary Catholic Church. The funeral Mass will be Thursday at 10am at St. Mary Catholic Church.
Donations may be made in her name to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072 Pittsfield, MA, 01202 or give blood at your local Red Cross.
