Roberta “Robbie” Phyllis Martinez passed away on Thursday, Feb. 9, at the age of 76 surrounded by family in Glenwood Springs, Colo.

Robbie is survived by Damon (Julie) Martinez, Brandon (Chelsee) Martinez, Clemente Philip III (Amanda) Martinez, and Kristin Martinez.

Robbie was born on May 8, 1946, to Philomeno and Margaret Martinez in Alamosa, Colo. She was one of 12 children. Growing up in Alamosa, she graduated from Alamosa High School while participating in cheerleading and excelling in the classroom.

Robbie decided to move to Denver, Colo., to attend beauty school and venture out into the world. Following beauty school, Robbie began coursework at the University of Colorado Boulder in the Leeds School of Business. During that time, she had two of her sons, Damon and Brandon Martinez.

After the completion of her business degree, she began working at the University of Colorado. Ultimately, she would spend a total of 25 years working at CU Boulder. She would assume many roles and become one of the top benefits administrators in Human Resources. Often dealing directly with the Chancellor and shaping benefits policy for the entire staff of the university.

Robbie continued to pursue higher education and accomplished obtaining a Master’s Degree from the University of Colorado in Business Management. As her career progressed, she was also blessed with two more children, a son Clemente III (CP), and her daughter Kristin.

Robbie continued to break barriers at work and accomplish many feats in her personal life. She was already the first member of her family to graduate from college but also the first homeowner in her family. She began traveling abroad to Europe and living out her dreams of seeing the Italian countryside.

After her retirement from CU, she was able to devote her time to attending her granddaughters Mariela and Santana’s numerous athletic events, volunteering at KUVO, and hosting many parties at her dream home in Sloan’s Lake. In her later years, she was very fortunate to be able to spend a lot of time with her grandson, Clemente 4th on their numerous adventures around the small town of Carbondale, Colo. She was also able to share a few more walks and cuddles with her newest grandson Cruz as well.

She will always be remembered as a vibrant, kind, and wonderful mom, and sister, and to her grandkids as “Lipa”(short for Abuelita). In addition to her children, Robbie is survived by four grandchildren (future grandson due June of 2023), siblings, and many nieces and nephews.