Chama resident Maria A.”Casusa” Martinez, 92, passed away peacefully January 4, 2019. Maria was welcomed into the world on September 9, 1926 in Amalia, New Mexico, the beloved daughter of Julian Alfonso Martinez and Adela Romero Martinez. Maria was a kindhearted and loving person and was a friend to all. She loved baking, babysitting, taking care of her home and spending time with her family and friends. She was a selfless and exceptional mother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend and will be dearly missed.

Survivors include her daughters Mary Ann Martinez, Kathy Vallejos both of Chama, CO; sisters Mary Valencia of Cheyenne, WY; Esmeralda Vialpando of Chama, CO; Esther (Oliver) Manzanares of San Pablo, CO; sister-in-law Mary Martinez of Thornton, CO; brothers Glen (Mary) Martinez of Thornton, CO; Alfred (Rose) Martinez of Lafayette, CO; brother-in-law Edmund Lobato of Colorado Springs, CO. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Maria was preceded in death by her parents Julian and Adela Martinez, two sisters Yvonne Lobato, Ada (Henry) Ozawa, two brothers Julian (Olive) Martinez and Ben Martinez

A Vigil Service with Recitation of the Rosary will be held on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at 7:00 PM at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Chama. A Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Thursday, January 10, 2019 at 10:00 AM also at the Immaculate Conception Church. Interment will follow at the Chama Cemetery. To leave online condolences please visit romerofuneralhomes.com. The care of arrangements have been entrusted to Romero Funeral Home of San Luis.