Consuelo Martinez

Private funeral mass will be held for Consuelo Martinez of Artesia, New Mexico.

Consuelo "Connie" Martinez 81, of Artesia, NM was received in Heaven on April 4, 2020 by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was surrounded by family as she transitioned into Eternal Paradise.

Fr. Frances Lazer will officiate at the services with burial to follow at Woodbine Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons Steve Vargas, Josh Palmer, Mathew Torrez, Dominic Bejarano, Joseph Torrez, Jerome Torrez and nephew Leon Molina. Honorary pallbearers will be the staff and residents of Artesia Health Care Center.

Connie was born on November 2, 1938, to Antonio and Gertrude Rodriguez. She was the eldest of seven children. She was a graduate of Carlsbad High School, after high school she married and had seven wonderful children (some may debate). Shortly after her seventh child was born she made the decision to go to nursing school. Her adult children often teased her that she had gone to nursing school to find out why she kept having babies, LOL. Through many toils, trials, and seven mischievous children, she was pinned a LPN Nurse. Although a stroke may have deterred her from fulfilling her dream of retiring as a nurse, she still continued to use her knowledge to help others.

First and foremost, Connie loved and wholeheartedly believed in Jesus Christ The love Connie had for her family was shown in many ways, from the discipline with her "chancla" and her telling them that they could do anything they set their mind to do. Connie loved her grandchildren, some of them were ornery as heck when they messed with her animals! Then came her great-grandchildren, the love of and laughter they gave so openly and freely, made her complete. Connie was passionate about New Mexico history and any western that she could read or watch on television. She also liked long country drives that ended with a Sonic green chile cheeseburger.

Connie is survived by her six children, Antonio "Tony" Torrez and wife Rebecca, Raul Torrez and wife Donna, Felicia Bejarano and husband Oscar, Christina Chavez and husband Tony, all of Artesia, NM. Cecilia Palmer and husband Jim of Lake Arthur, NM. Benjamin Torez and wife Sophia of El Paso, TX. Her loving "outlaw" Bonnie Ross Torrez of Artesia, NM. Her only beloved brother Antonio "Tony" Rodriguez and wife Grace, sisters Amy Galindo and husband Chavel, Mary Martinez and Beto, Lucy Villa and husand George, brother in law Mauro Ortiz, all from Carlsbad NM. Sister Nancy Johnson and husband Jim of Artesia, NM. Grandchildren Steve Vargas, Anthony Chavez, Sara Props, Xavier Torrez, Natasha Bejarano, Marisa Torrez, Joseph Torrez, Jerome Torrez, Laura Bejarano, Lisa Torrez, Josh Palmer, Dominic Bejarano, Roque Torrez, Samantha Torrez, Isaiah Torrez and Olivia Torrez. She also has numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Adopted sons Rudy Hinojos of Arizona and Bernardo Hinojos of the Phillipines.

Connie is preceded in death by both her parents Antonio and Gertrude Rodriguez, sister Esperanza Ortiz, son Mark Torrez, great grandsons Cy James Palmer, Elijah Noel Garcia, and Jaydon Andrew Bejarano and father of her children, Raul Torrez.

In lieu of flowers the famliy has asked that people always remember the elderly, those that live alone, those in assisted living or in a nursing home. The joy residents feel to know that they are not forgotten is overwhelming! Sending cards or flowers to residents will truly be a blessing to them!

The family is forever grateful to the staff at the nursing home for all the love and care they provided our precious Momma.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Terpening & Son Mortuary. Please remember Mrs. Martinez at www.artesiafunerals.com.