Della Rita Martinez passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 15th after an extended illness. Della was a beloved mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin, and friend to many.

Della is preceded in death by her husband, Roman, her  parents, Adan and Domitila, her son, Daniel Rey Martinez, and sister, Kathleen Sisneros, as well as her many brothers- and sisters-in-law.

Della, a lifelong resident of Las Vegas, New Mexico, was born Adelaida Rita Griego on July 5, 1933 in Pueblo, Colorado to Adan Griego and Domitila Gonzales. Known affectionately as Della or Rita to her many family and friends, she attended Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School as a young girl and eventually graduated from Immaculate Conception Catholic School. She later took classes at New Mexico Highlands University and worked at Sandoval's Car Shop and Delgado's Drug and Sundry Shop, where she would meet her future husband. She married her husband, Roman P. Martinez, a Technical Sergeant in the United States Air Force and also of Las Vegas, NM, on July 26, 1954.Over the next 14 years, she moved 8 times, living in Japan for 7 of them. She enjoyed traveling the world by his side as a devoted military wife and dedicated mother of four young children. After returning home to Las Vegas, she was employed by the Las Vegas Hospital in various positions, before beginning a 20 year career at the New Mexico Behavioral Health Institutein1969.She retired in1990 as the Director of Administrative Services Division. After retirement, she enjoyed spending time with family, doing crossword puzzles, going on walks with her husband, and reading. She was a beloved grandmother and great grandmother and the proud matriarch of a family rich with history.

Della was also a devout Catholic and a proud member of the Our Lady of Sorrows Church. She was a member of Catholic DaughtersCourt#1301 for over 30years.She spent countless hours volunteering at OLOS and with the Catholic Daughters, counting Sunday collections and raising money for worthy causes.

Della is survived by her sister, Viola Griego, eldest son, David Martinez, daughter Ruth Mares and husband Kenneth, son, Donald Martinez, daughter-in-law Cruzita Martinez, and brother-in-law Rey Sisneros, as well as 12 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Services will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, beginning with a rosary on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 on what would have been Della and Roman's 69th wedding anniversary. The rosary will begin at 7:00 PM and will be recited by The Catholic Daughters. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Reverend Rob Yaksich on Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 9:00AM.Internment will take place later that day in Santa Fe at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 2:30 PM.

Arrangements are entrusted to and under the care of Rogers Mortuary 600 Reynolds Ave Las Vegas, NM 87701 505-425-3511 or 1-800-479-3511.

Please visit our online website www.rogersmortuarynm.com to sign the online register book.