Oct. 21, 1956 – March 13, 2012

Clara Martinez was born Clara Cano on Oct 21, 1956 in Fabens, Tex. She graduated from East Bakersfield High School in 1974 and attended California State University Fresno where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Recreation Administration in 1979. She completed her education with a master’s degree in Social Work in 1982.

After earning her masters, she became employed at Carl Warren and Company, Claims Management in Bakersfield. Following relocation to Glendale, she worked for Blair and Company as a claims manager.

On July 20, 1991 she married Rick Martinez. Together they welcomed the births of three children, Joelle, 17, Jacob, 15 and Phoebe, 11. Embracing parenthood and having the desire to spend as much time with her children, she left a promising career to home school her children.

After 10 years of homeschooling, she took a part time position as a teacher’s aide at St. George’s Preschool in La Cañada. She had a love for the children – all children – and her job at St. George’s Preschool was a joy to her heart. She and husband Rick also served on the AYSO board for youth soccer in their region for several years.

Clara valued her faith in God, her family and her friends. Diagnosed with breast cancer one year ago, she decided her fate was in God’s hands.

Clara – wife, mother, sister, and friend – will be dearly missed. Her work, faith and witness were an inspiration to all.

She is survived by her husband of 21 years as well as daughter Joelle, son Jacob, and daughter Phoebe. Clara was the second oldest of 10 children in the Cano family and leaves many sisters and brothers as well as nieces and nephews behind.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to help with the cost of the funeral. Those who would like to make a donation to support the family can make a donation payable to Montrose Church and drop it in the offering on Sunday or to make an online donation, go to: http://bit.ly/martinezfamily.

A Memorial Service in honor of Clara was held on Sunday, March 25 at H Rock Church in Pasadena, Ca. and viewing was at Crippen Mortuary, www.crippenmortuary.com.