Obituaries

Maria Mendez was born on 12/15/1944 to her parents, Juana Soto and Juanito Mendez in the island of Puerto Rico; where she was born and raised alongside her siblings.
In the early morning hours of 1/30/2019, Maria took her last breath in the company of her faithful husband, Dolores Martinez of 54 years.
As the Matron of the family, Maria led her family with a fierce strength accompanied by a level of dignity and grace that cannot and will not ever be rivaled.
Maria is survived by her supercilious and large family. She was the loving mother of 9 children and took great pleasure in nurturing her 33 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Maria was an exemplary woman, wife, mother, grandmother and friend.
Those who knew Maria quickly learned that loyalty was a requirement which was freely given with the expectation of it being passed on to anyone we came into contact with. Her voice will forever resonate in our hearts guiding us to never try and consume yourself with making sure everyone else is being taken care of without YOU taking care of yourself first; in mind, body and spirit.
The family is grateful to the staff at Sacred Heart Hospice, Dr. Kurtzer and Dr. Pancioly. We also extend a resounding thank you to the Cardiovascular team at CMC Hospital.
To JD, I am looking down on you and will forever carry you in strength, happiness and growth. You are the twinkle of my heart and soul.
Lastly but certainly not least, the family would like to open our hearts and arms to our very own, Josue Martinez, Sr. As a young man, he reveled in his Mother’s unconditional love. As a grown man, he cared and took exceptional care of His dear mother during the last stages of her life with a tenderness, love and a fierceness that engulfed his being to the very last moments of Maria’s life. She is looking down and with her mild mannered wisdom and tender love is saying “thank you for taking care of my every need and whim. I will forever be by your side and an active occupant of your soul.”
I will Rest In Peace now and let my love live within each and every one of you.
God bless you all.

Arrangements are under the care of the Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 517 North Main Street, Old Forge.

María Méndez nació el 15/12/1944 a sus padres, Juana Soto y Jacinto Méndez en Anasco, Puerto Rico, donde nació y creció junto a sus 8 hermanos(a).
En las primeras horas de la mañana del 01/30/2019, María tomó su último aliento en compañía de su fiel esposo, Dolores Martínez, casado por 54 años.
Como Jefa de la familia, María condujo a su familia con una fuerza feroz acompañada por un nivel de dignidad y gracia que no puede y nunca será rivalizada.
María a sobrevivido por su familia grande y cual esta agoviada por su perdida. Ella era la madre amorosa de 9 hijos y tomó gran placer en la crianza de sus 34 nietos y 13 bisnietos. María era una mujer ejemplar, esposa, madre, abuela y amiga.
Los que conocieron a María rápidamente aprendieron que la lealtad era un requisito que se daba libremente con la expectativa de que se transmitiera a cualquiera con quien entráramos en contacto. Su voz saltará para siempre en nuestros corazones, guiándonos a no tratar de consumirte a ti mismo, asegurándote de que todos los demás estén siendo cuidados sin que tú te cuides a ti mismo primero; en mente, cuerpo y espíritu.
La familia está agradecida al personal del Hospicio del Sagrado Corazón, al Dr. Kurtzer y al Dr. Pancioly. También extendemos un resonante agradecimiento al equipo Cardiovascular del hospital CMC.
Para JD, te estoy mirando hacia el cielo. Y ah ti , mi adorado, siempre le llevará en la fuerza, la felicidad y en su crecimiento. Eres la luz y la sombra de mi corazón y mi alma.
Por último, pero no por ello menos importante, la familia quisiera abrir nuestros corazones y brazos a los nuestros, Josue Martínez Sr. desde joven, que se deleita en el amor incondicional de su Madre. Como hombre adulto, cuidó de su querida madre durante las últimas etapas de su vida con una ternura, un amor y una ferocidad que envolvieron su ser hasta los últimos momentos de la vida de María. Ella está mirando desde el cielo; y con su suave moda de ser y tierno amor está diciendo ” gracias por cuidar de todas mis necesidad