Mary Fidelia Martinez Nowinsky, age 81, formerly of Espanola, N.M, passed away in Clearlake after a brief illness. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Ted Nowinsky; mother, Celestina Martinez; brother, Felix Martinez; uncle, Benceslaos Martinez; aunts, Fetipa Vigil and Ascencion Lujan; and nephews, Paul and Michael Martinez.
She is survived by her seven children, Benjamin, Harold and Joseph Martinez; daughters, Martha Spencer and Valerie Nowinsky Coats; youngest sons, Duane and Ted Nowinsky, all of California; only sister, Modesta Villareal Ruiz from Alcade, N.M.; seven grandchildren, Angela Martinez Hefner, Michele Martinez Irribarren, Sofia Martinez, Nicholas Woolley, Cassandra Nowinsky Alford, Jason Nowinsky and Joanna Nowinsky; five great-grandchildren, Hannah, Jacob and Grace Hefner, Gabriel and Marissa Irribarren; as well as eight nieces and nephews, Vincente “Joe” Villareal, Jeannette Villareal Quintana, Elizabeth Villareal Jimenez, Diane Villareal Rosenbloom, Shirley Villareal Salazar, Paula Martinez Murphy, Alice Martinez Washington and Timothy Martinez. She also is survived by numerous cousins and relatives throughout the state of New Mexico.
Mary was born Nov. 7, 1924, in Alcade, N.M. and raised in the Espanola Valley. She attended Espanola Valley High School and Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico. She also earned an associate degree in education from Yuba College. Early in her career she taught elementary school in Chimayo, N.M., and later when residing in California she taught at Burns Valley Elementary School, Oak Hill Elementary and Lower Lake High School. She retired from the Konocti Unified School District at the age of 72.
Mary was also a member of the Espanola Hospital Auxiliary, Sacred Heart Society, the Lakeshore Lioness Club, the Queen of Peace Hispanic Club, the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Guadalupanas. One of her greatest joys was being a longstanding member of the Queen of Peace Church Choir. She loved to travel with her children and friends and she was fortunate to be able to travel throughout the world. Mary had many hobbies and a passion for reading Tony Hillerman and Rodolfo Anaya novels. Mary was a very loving mother, devoted wife and loyal friend to everyone who knew her.
A memorial mass will be held at noon today, Tuesday, July 11 at Our Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Clearlake. Please join us after the service in the Church Hall. Any donations can be made to the St Vincent de Paul Society.
For futher information call Chapel of the Lakes 263-0357 or 994-5611 or visit us at www.chapelofthelakes.com for directions.
Please sign the guest book at www.record-bee.com
(Published in the Lake County Record-Bee on Tuesday, July 11, 2006.)
