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Selfless. That was the life of Anita Saenz Martinez that passed away on January 4, 2023 at the age of 99 and missed her 100th birthday by 14 days. Born and raised in Laredo, Tx on January 18, 1923 to a single mom, they lived together with her grandmother. As a little girl, she barely survived the ravages of Typhoid Fever that resulted in her looking like "skin and bones" according to her sister. She missed an entire year of school due to this horrific disease and never returned. Growing up without her father she vowed her own children would one day never yearn for that love. She kept her promise until her husband's death in 1998. As a young woman she was actively involved with church activities at Sagrado Corazon as a member of the Hijas de Maria, praying her rosary and attending church regularly. Very early in her life, she worked tirelessly to help her mother financially with her younger siblings at the age of 15. This commitment led to her first career as a housekeeper for various wealthy families in Laredo and eventually worked at the Laredo Air Force Base in the laundry. She finally departed from her financial commitment to her mom after several years of disastrous arguments with her and moved to San Antonio, Texas in her early 30's to marry her husband, Ernesto Martinez. She became a devoted housewife and mother caring for her infant daughter for four years. Her son was born in 1961 and the family lived poorly in San Antonio's west side and despite her husband's wishes, she began to work at Fort Sam Houston laundry. This career change allowed her family to move to the south side of San Antonio where her children could have a safer and better life. She continued working at pressing soldier's clothes with industrial machinery and eventually advanced to cashier. She took great pride in her work and her superiors noticed. Her best memories were meeting a multitude of soldiers from many parts of the world utilizing her mathematical and superb interpersonal skills while also advancing her family financially. In addition to working over 27 years of service with Fort Sam Houston, she also enjoyed sewing that involved designing a multitude of detailed and difficult clothing items such as prom gowns, lined wool jackets, zippered pants, gaucho pants and coordinated pant outfits, blouses and much more. Her meticulous work resulted in beautiful outfits worn proudly by her and her daughter. Forever will we be in awe of her willingness to forgive, to sacrifice and to be a strong Christian woman and devout Catholic. She possessed an incredible willingness to sacrifice for a greater purpose - her grandmother, mom, brother, sister, husband, daughter, son, and grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her beloved grandmother, Maria de Jesus Granados, her sister that died as a little girl from Typhoid Fever, Lupita Martinez, mother, Julia Lara, father, Cuachtemoc A. "Francisco" Saenz, husband Ernesto Martinez and brothers Dr. Michael Saenz, Cuachtemoc Saenz and Onofre Gonzalez, and niece Amelia Gonzalez. She is survived by her sister Maria Gonzalez Dunn, daughter, Celeste Martinez, son Fermin Martinez. Grandchildren, Fermin Martinez, Jr., Fabian Martinez, Anthony Martinez, Jaclyn Martinez, Gabriel Sergio Villafranca, Ernesto Martinez and Brittania Martinez; many nieces, nephews and 10 grandchildren. Visitation will begin on Monday January 30, 2023 at 6:00pm through 9:00pm at Mission Park South, San Antonio, Texas. There will be a 10:00am Mass at St. James the Apostle Catholic Church on January 31st and burial at 1:15 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Tx alongside her husband, a WWII Army veteran.

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Anita Saenz Martinez

January 18, 1923 - January 4, 2023