Guillermina Avellaneda Martinez's Obituary
In loving memory, we honor the life and legacy of Guillermina Avellaneda Martinez, who passed away on June 5, 2025, surrounded by love and remembrance.
Born to Bertoldo Avellaneda and Humbertina Sandoval in Mexico City, she was the youngest of ten children and spent her upbringing causing playful mischief in the City of Guerrero. She would live there before moving to the United States with her sisters and where she met her husband, Rafael Martinez. Their meet cute would be meeting at random through his sister and her cousin. Rafael says it was love at first sight and he needed her in his life and future immediately. From there they would be married for 34 years and have three children Maritza, Alexandra, and Miguel Angel.
Alongside raising her own children, she was an incredible childcare provider for many years, assisted many families and loved each of them as her own. A close friend and former supervisor said, "she brought peace to my house, my life, and my family."
Guillermina was a member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe since 1990.
This is where she and Rafael took marriage classes; her children received their sacraments and later celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. She was also a member of Nueva Alianza where she happily volunteered amongst friends.
Guillermina enjoyed gardening, dancing, sarcasm, her shoe collection, and being in the company of her family and friends.
Guillermina is survived by her husband Rafael, her daughters Maritza and Alexandra, her son Miguel Angel, and her furry daughter Bella.
Someone once said your life is categorized into two chapters your life with your mom and without. We were not expecting our without to begin this suddenly and unexpectedly.
If you were fortunate enough to know our mother, then you know she spent her life preparing us for the expected and unexpected. And for that, we are deeply grateful — because now we carry her lessons with us, and we have the honor of passing them on.
She taught us the power of kindness — to treat everyone we meet with compassion and respect.
She reminded us to always put on a little lipstick before leaving the house — because you never know who you might meet.
She showed us how to be bold — to be the first on the dance floor, because when you lead with joy, others will follow.
She told us to always buy the shoes; you work hard and deserve them. Life is too short to not have incredible shoes.
She taught us that love is unconditional, imperfect, and always worth giving with your whole heart.
She encouraged us to be unapologetically ourselves — to never shrink, never pretend, and never dim our light.
And when hope seemed lost, she embodied courage in its purest form. She showed us what true bravery looks like.
The only thing she didn’t teach us was how to make her famous pozole. For that, we apologize — and we ask for your patience as we try (and likely will fail many times) to get it just right.
She will forever be deeply missed.
The Viewing and Rosary will be Monday, June 16th at Restland Funeral Home from 5-8 pm, and the Mass will be Tuesday, June 17th at 10 am at National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
What’s your fondest memory of Guillermina?
What’s a lesson you learned from Guillermina?
Share a story where Guillermina's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Guillermina you’ll never forget.
How did Guillermina make you smile?