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Martina Padilla went to be with our Lord on December 14, 2023. She was born on May 30, 1938. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Chris Padilla; her daughters Kathy VanNess of Alamogordo, NM, Sandra Minkner, (Chris) of Indianapolis, IN, Barbara Blake of Tularosa, NM Chris Padilla (Doreen) of Alamogordo, NM and Keith Padilla (Ginger)of Mission, TX. Martina has 17 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and 5 great, great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her son Tommy Padilla who was 15 days shy of 34 years of age.
She is also preceded in death by her parents, JJ and Porferia Melendrez, her siblings Manuel, Mariano, Raymond, Juanita and Lupita.
Martina and Chris were married at Immaculate conception in 1957. Children followed not long after. As you can imagine, she was a very busy mother. She then entered the workforce. She worked various jobs such as a line supervisor at a garment factory. Later she found her calling with the Alamogordo Public Schools as a nurse's aide, then a librarian at Chaparral Middle School, the High School and Sacramento Elementary and would retire from APS after 25 years. She had such a positive influence on the lives of so many students throughout the years.
In addition to her devotion to her family, she was also very devoted to her Catholic faith. She faithfully attended St. Jude Parish-since it was first formed in 1966, taught CCD for many years and was an active member of the Altar Rosary Society.
She has been cremated and the interment of ashes will be at the St. Jude Parish columbarium.
No words can describe the impact that she left with her family, friends, church and Community. She is missed but her legacy will live on.
