Paula Z.

Martinez

Paula Zavala Martinez came to peaceful rest on Sunday, November 14, 2021, at her Harlingen home surrounded by her loving family. Paula was born on March 5, 1933, in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

She was 88 and is preceded in death by her first daughter Rosa Anna and second son Francisco Z. Martinez.

Paula leaves her family to cherish her memories: her husband of 69 years, Anacleto R., her children Arubento Z. (Celia), Rosa Anna, Joel Z. (Flora), Gilberto Z. (Mayra) and Norma Linda Martinez, 12 grandchildren: Ruben Jr., Corina, Jessica, Ruben Issac, Desiree Antoinette, Kasandra Raquel, Joel Daniel, Paula Angelica, Gilberto Mateo, Julia Carolina, Alfredo Anacleto H. and Laila Rose V. Martinez and 12 great grandchildren.

At a young age our mom came to South Texas worked in picking cotton where she met the tractor driver, our dad. They defined the good & bad times, for richer & poorer, in sickness & in health and till death do them part. She unselfishly raised seven children and with just one day of a kindergarten education she made sure we attended school that we were up in time and on the bus, but not before we had a freshly made warm tortillas. Our mom attended school PTA's and always volunteered preparing rice for school functions, which her rice was voted the best. Thank you, mom! She strived so that we may strive. Our mother was a member of the Queen of Peace Catholic Community prayer group where often rosaries would be held in our home, what a blessing. She would also host rosaries in our Jerome Labor Camp home where we last spent our summers.

Our mom was also a proud member of the United Farmworkers Union and even marched alongside activist Cesar Chavez. As migrant workers we traveled north to Stayton, Oregon, Williams, California and Jerome, Idaho. Packed up in our family Ford truck, she made sure we were comfortable, all the while in between knitting colorful designed doilies. While working in the fields our mom was up at 4 am preparing our lunch tacos and then worked all day, coming home tired, making our dinner, etc. to do it all again the next day. Oh, what strength our mom endured. Our mom lived a full life, she enjoyed the weekends and holidays because our family was all home, crowded and loud but together. She enjoyed our family vacations from west to east passing every state purchasing souvenirs for all her children, family and friends. How joyous when her eyes lit up in the Las Vegas lights and when she viewed the lights of Cuba from Key West, Florida. Our mom was caring, generous, loving, hardworking, and very courageous throughout her life. Feisty till the end, making sure we are doing right by our children, our family and ourselves. We thank all our family friends and all our relatives near and far for always thinking of our mom. "Doña Paulita" we thank our sister-in-law, Mayra and mom's provider, Nancy for the unconditional loving care they gave our mom, for that we are grateful. We carry on strong with the faith and hope our mom instilled in us. We will miss our mommy very dearly and honor her always. "Ama!! Our Heroine, we love you so much and we will be together again. "Si se Puede!!" Paula Z. Martinez!

Honored to be her pallbearers will be Arubento Z. - Joel Z. - Gilberto Z. - Ruben Issac - Joel Daniel - Gilberto Mateo - Alfredo Anacleto H. Martinez

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 21, 2021, from 1:00 pm until 9:00 pm with a prayer service to begin at 7:00 pm at Trinity Funeral Chapel of the Holy Spirit.

Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, November 22, 2021, at 11:00 am at Queen of Peace Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Ashland Cemetery in Harlingen, Texas.

Arrangements are under the direction of Trinity at Harrison Funeral Home, 1002 East Harrison Ave. Harlingen, TX 78550. www.trinityfunerals.com .