Maria Martinez

Maria S. Martinez, 89, of Kansas City, Missouri, and formerly of Parsons and Wichita, Kansas, passed away Saturday, April 28, 2018 at her home.

She was born July 25, 1928 in Venado, San Luis Potosi, Mexico to Juan Pablo and Maria Guadalupe (Padilla) Hernandez. As an infant, she moved with her family to Parsons where she attended school and graduated from Parsons Sr. High School. She continued her education to pursue her Bachelor's degree in Special Education and Spanish at the secondary level at Indiana State University and St. Louis University. She pursued credits at Gannon University, Wichita State University, and Labette Community College. Maria pursued a Master's degree at Pittsburg State University.

She worked in Special Education at the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center where she taught sign language (1954-1957). For several years, she taught Spanish in various schools in Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Kansas.

She and Miguel Martinez were married June 27, 1959 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Parsons. To that union, five children were born. Following marriage, she continued teaching. The family lived in Carnegie, Parsons, and Wichita until their divorce in 1974. In 1975, she returned to Parsons with her family and resumed working at the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center until her retirement in 1985.

In 1991, she and Miguel remarried and lived in Wichita. He preceded her in death on September 29, 2012. Following the death of her husband, Maria moved to Kansas City where she lived with her son and his family.

She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and Voz, both in Parsons. She was also a member of the AAUW (American Association of University Women) and the Business and Professional Women's Club where she served as recorder.

Maria was an avid reader and enjoyed traveling. She especially enjoyed creating items for her family.

Survivors include:

Two Sons – Miguel A. Martinez of Parsons, KS

Martin A. Martinez and his wife, Sarah, of Kansas City, MO

Three Daughters – Maria "Rica" Head and her husband, Jed, of Parsons, KS

Maria Elena Carson and her husband, Steve, of Plano, TX

Maria Lupe Martinez and her husband, Devlin Goldworm, of Dodge City, KS

Fifteen Grandchildren

Eleven Great-Grandchildren

She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, John A. Hernandez; and one sister, Anita Nader.

Funeral Mass will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, May 5, 2018 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Parsons. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Parsons. The rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m., Friday, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. The family will receive friends at 7:30 p.m., Friday, at the funeral home immediately following the rosary.

Memorials are suggested to Boy Scout Troop No. 1080 of Kansas City, Missouri. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.