Shirley Martinez

Shirley Martinez, 80, of Texas City passed away on Monday May 9, 2022.  She was born September 25, 1941, in Rumford, Maine to Raymond and Edith West who preceded her in death.

She is also preceded in death by the love of her life, Gilbert Martinez Sr.; her son, David West; Brothers, Ralph, George, and Robert West; Sister Irene Porga; and her best friend Pat Werner.

Survivors include her children, Karen El-Haj and husband Hussain of Friendswood, TX; Johnny Martinez; Darrell Martinez and companion Patricia Zargar; and Sonya Myers and husband Doug all of Texas City, TX. Her grandchildren, Layla (Gray) Doctor; Chantel Valentin and husband Mario (Tony); Robert Bottoms III; Sammy El-Haj and wife Josalin; Saleem El-Haj; Matthew and Lauren Martinez; Zackery, Isaiah, and Danyelle Garcia; five great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. She is also survived by several siblings, nieces, nephews, her faithful dog Sandy, and two cats Cocoa and Whitey.

After 20 years of service, she retired from UTMB. Shirley was also a long-time member of the Memorial Lutheran Church in Texas City where she often played Bunko and participated in several church functions.  For many years, she enjoyed painting ceramics and entering her work in ceramic shows where she has received several ribbons. She was a member of the Texas City Citizens Police Academy, Senior Friends, and enjoyed playing cards 2-3 times a week at Wayne Johnson Center in Hitchcock. When she wasn’t playing cards, she enjoyed putting together puzzles or just being outside.

She loved wildlife especially Buffaloes, Native American culture, and often missed being in her home state of Maine.  During the fall season she loved to watch the changing of the leaves, which made her the most home sick of all. She and her husband would often take road trips and have been coast to coast to see family and places they have always wanted to visit.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Johnny Martinez, Sammy El-Haj, Mario (Tony) Valentin, Matthew Martinez, Isaiah Garcia, and Jose Garcia Jr.

Visitation will be 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Monday, May 16, 2022 at Emken-Linton Funeral Home in Texas City. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at Emken-Linton Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Galveston Memorial Park in Hitchcock.

In lieu of flower’s donations can be made in honor of Shirley to Libbie’s Place Senior Day Program where she found enjoyment in her last years or to Alzheimer’s Disease Research or the Memorial Lutheran Church.

The family would like to also say a big thank you to Patricia Zargar who helped with our mother’s care.  Without her, mom’s days would have been long and lonely.