Maria Antonietta Martinez

“Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18Ms. Maria Antonieta Martinez, a lovely, joyous, and faithful servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, passed into eternal heavenly bliss peacefully in the arms of her loved ones on Friday, January 13, 2023, at the age of 83. She is preceded in death by her parents, Jose Maria Gutierrez and Agapita Rodriguez; sisters Ramona “Mona” Gutierrez, Maria Luisa Gutierrez, and Beatriz Garcia; brother-in-law Gustavo Garcia, brothers Rodolfo Gutierrez and Lt. LPD Jesus Gutierrez; sister-in-law, Francisca Gutierrez; aunt Adelaida “Yaya” Salas.  She is survived by her sister Hilda (and Luis A.) Lopez.Maria Antonieta or “Toni”, as she was known, was the youngest of seven children, lived in Laredo all her life and loved spending time with friends and family.  She was a graduate of Martin High School and worked at Richter’s Department Store,  International Bonded Warehouse (IBW) alongside her sister Ramona, and later at Guadalupe Church alongside her other sister Maria Luisa.  She also worked at Laredo Production Credit Association (PCA). The PCA served ranchers and farmers in Webb, Zapata, Duval, and Jim Hogg Counties.    Eventually, she worked at her favorite job at St Augustine Elementary School where she served as a teacher’s assistant.   Her passion and love for serving children was evident during her tenure at St. Augustine Elementary. Out of all the roles during her lifetime, she loved being “Guela” to her six grandchildren who she adored and cared for often.Left to cherish Guela’s memory are her children Raul J. Sanchez Jr. (Kim Oliver), Jose Gerardo (Melissa) Sanchez,   Gabriela (Robert) Pritts; beautiful grandchildren,  Raul J. Sanchez III,  Maxie Mae Sanchez,  Jose Gerardo (Diana) Sanchez, II,   Olivia Alejandra Sanchez,  Rogelio “Bo” Cabello IV,  and Isabella Cabello.    Also surviving her are numerous relatives and friends.Our family is extremely grateful to all the physicians and caregivers that attended to our beloved mother over the years.

The family will be receiving condolences on Friday, January 20, 2023, from 4:00 to 9:00 pm at Aguero Funeral Home & Crematorium, 4402 Saunders St., Laredo, Texas 78041.  A Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m.Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. from Aguero Funeral Home and Crematorium to San Martin de Porres Catholic Church for a Holy Mass at 9:00 a.m.Rite of Committal and interment will follow at the family plot of the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.Pallbearers will be Raul J. Sanchez III, Maxie Mae Sanchez,  Jose Gerardo Sanchez, II,   Olivia Alejandra Sanchez,  and  Rogelio “Bo” Cabello IV.