Sept. 27, 1933 – Aug. 4, 2015

On Tuesday, Aug. 4 Betty Martinez, mother, grandmother, sister and dear friend to many, entered the gates of heaven. Betty was 81 years old, and many family members gathered to celebrate her life just days before her death. She was preceded in death by her husband Dan.

Betty was born in Benjamin, Texas. She had three sisters and six brothers. In 1960, she and Dan moved to Glendale and soon relocated to La Crescenta. In 1971, they moved into the home where they lived for 45 years.

Betty was a devoted parishioner of St. James the Less Catholic Church, and was a member of the Divine Mercy as well as the Altar Society. She was also a member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority, chapter Laureate Kappa Kappa.

For many years Betty worked at Verdugo Hills Hospital and at La Cañada Paint and Wallpaper. In recent years, she was a caregiver to many ailing individuals in the area. She made many friends in this pursuit, for she was a caring and wonderful person.

She is survived by her four children: Brenda Taylor (Alan), Larry Martinez, Sam Martinez (Lynn) and Teresa Bilbo (Steve). She was most proud of her nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, where pictures of all of them adorned her home. She was a friend to many whom she welcomed into her home with open arms.

Betty always had a smile on her face and was always willing to strike up a conversation with anybody she might encounter.

Funeral services to celebrate her life will be held at St. James the Less Catholic Church, 4625 Dunsmore Ave. in La Crescenta, on Thursday, Aug. 13. Rosary at 10 a.m. and funeral Mass at 11 a.m.