Thank you for being here to celebrate the life of an incredible woman, mother and grandmother. Petra Martinez was born on June 24, 1944, in Laredo, Mexico as the second oldest of 5 brothers and sisters to mom Antonia Villarreal and dad Manuel Perez. She is preceded in death by her son Greg and daughter Maria, as well as all her siblings. She is survived by her daughter Martha, sons Roger, Jesus, Luis, Frank, Joe and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
It's hard to put into words just how much she meant to all of us, but I'll try to do her justice.
Grandma was the heart of our family (the family matriarch) the place where everyone gathered. Her love ran deep and wide – especially for her children, who were the center of her world. No matter what was happening in life, she always made sure her family came first. Her strength, warmth and unwavering love created a foundation that has kept us all together, and I know her legacy will continue to do so.
One of my favorite memories of her was at Christmas time, when she'd be in the kitchen cooking tamales. And although she made the best tamales, it wasn't about the food – it was about the tradition, the laughter, the sweet smells and the love that filled the room. She poured her heart into every batch she made and everyone who tasted her tamales could feel it.
Grandma also loved her Bingo nights, playing cards and scratching off her beloved lottery tickets. It didn't take much to make her smile – a good game, a lucky number, or the simple joy of spending time with the people she loved.
Today we say goodbye, but we also say thank you. Thank you, Grandma, for every moment, every lesson, every ounce of love you gave so freely. You will always b a part of us – in our memories, in our traditions, and in the way we love each other.
We love you. We miss you. And we will never forget you.