Adelaida “Ida” Veronica Martinez

The life of this servant of God began with the marriage of Guadalupe Valenzuela and  Manuel Egnacio Martinez, an Apache tribe member from Colorado. The union produced five children, and two proceeded to death. Cyron was a favorite cousin raised with her until adulthood. Ida was proud to say she was born in Montana when the family moved to California. Ida leaves to cherish her memory her sister Connie (Richard “Butch”) Velasquez and her daughter Karri, and brother Daniel (Jennie) Martinez, and his children Sarah, Matthew (Adrianna), Leah, and Hannah. She has one great-nephew and two great-nieces Adrian, Allison, and Audrie. Ida has one godson, John (Liza) of Sacramento. A host of good friends and extended family will miss Ida. Very dear to Ida were her fellow St. Rose Catholic Church members, Angie, Victor, Marie Alcala, Rosie, Father Lawler, Monsignor Church, Father Meza, and Zena, who were forever etched in her heart.  From Sacramento County, Ida had several close friends such as the Gentle Ladies, Joan Brown, “her angel,” Adriane (Annika & Daysha), and several others she taught. Ida’s Maternity home extended family who cared for her during her last days, Sylvia, Rhonda, Sharrie, Paulette, Katilyn, and Lenor will always hold a special place for her as she did for them. The countless women whose lives she touched over the years will miss her wisdom and humor.

Ida was devoted to her family and followed her mother’s wishes to look out for her father and siblings at sixteen. Although Ida never married she was married to her faith. Ida had no children but was a nurturer to thousands of children in the greater Sacramento area. She served as a faithful parishioner at St. Rose Church. Ida enjoyed traveling when she could, and going to the casino was a special treat.  Ida had a loyal spirit to her family and friends. She enjoyed Mariachi music and listened to John Denver, stating she is a country girl at heart. Ida enjoyed jewelry, any color rose, fine dining, and her favorite foods, chile verde, tacos, tamales, and most traditional Mexican foods.

Monsignor Kauvaungh asked Ida to serve as a reader and catechism class teacher. Ida has educated thousands of Sacramento area youth in the Catholic faith over her 60 years of service to the church.  Ida was known for doing more before 8 am because she had already been to church and read for the morning mass. Ida’s favorite bible passage is the Lord’s Prayer. Over the years, Ida worked at the church thrift store and school. She had a heart for women and served at the Bishop Gallegos Maternity Home for pregnant and parenting mothers for 20 years. She was involved with immigration work for undocumented and offered support to hundreds of immigrants who needed help to obtain their citizenship.

Ida was small in stature but a giant in her service to the community, and she served as a social worker for over 30 years. Ida began as a secretary for the library.  She then took on an office manager role at the University of California Davis and was determined to pursue her education. Ida’s mother and aunts told her the way to be successful was to go to school so she did not have to depend on a man or anyone. She began taking night classes at City College, graduating with high honors on the Dean’s list. After earning her AA, she went to California State University Sacramento to pursue and complete her bachelor’s and Master’s in Social Work.  She worked as a special skills worker for Hispanic Culture for Sacramento County in the Family Maintenance and Emergency Response programs. She developed a special relationship with several community members who wanted to support Ida and those she served who were in need. She also partnered with Senior Gleaners to ensure that her clients received food and resources so that children were not hungry and had their basic needs met. Ida had been responsible for training many social workers who went on to serve in high-ranking positions within Sacramento County. Ida shared her skills and knowledge with several interns throughout her social work career. Some of her former intern standouts include Tosca, Jean, Adriane, Janie, Richard, and Matt.

She served as an advocate in the Hispanic community and often translated and provided a voice to those who did not speak English well. After retirement, Ida returned to service and was able to work providing visitation supervision to Spanish-speaking parents at WynSpring Family Resource Center. Ida made special friends with Dei, Darlene, and Krissy.

Ida wanted everyone close to her to know she loved them, but she had to go home to her Father. Ida was loved by so many, and she was blessed to say goodbye and send messages to those closest to her in her final days.

Ida’s Services

Visitation
Wednesday, August 28th, 2024
9:00 A.M. – 9:30 A.M.
St Mary Funeral Center
6509 Fruitridge Road, Sacramento, California

Rosary
Wednesday, August 28th, 2024
9:30 A.M. to 10:00 A.M.
St Mary Funeral Center
6509 Fruitridge Road, Sacramento, California

Funeral Mass
Wednesday, August 28th, 2024
10:00 A.M.
St Mary Funeral Center
6509 Fruitridge Road, Sacramento, California

Committal Service
Wednesday, August 28th, 2024
11:00 A.M.
St Mary Cemetery
6700 21st Avenue, Sacramento, California

Reception 
Wednesday, August 28th, 2024
12:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.
St Mary Funeral Center – Reception Room B
6509 Fruitridge Road, Sacramento, California