Maria E. Martinez

Maria Elena Martinez was received into God’s loving arms on May 9^th, 2022 – the same day she was born 66 years ago. In entering the Lord’s presence, she was greeted by her parents, Enrique and Aurea Mendoza, her brothers Juan Cruz and Enrique Mendoza Jr., her sister Mary Hunter, and brother-in-law Bruce Purdy. She is survived by many loving hearts, but to name a few are her husband Jerry, her sons Ronnie and Jonathan and their wives Caroline and Ciara, her granddaughters Taina, Amirah, and Mariah, and her two sisters Aida and Carmen.

Maria was known to many as having the most generous of hearts. Quick to give of herself to others, she tended to put people’s needs above her own. Whether it was raising money through a Zumbathon, helping those in recovery, or offering funds to churches she attended, she poured her love for all to drink. All it would take was a phone call and she would be there – even if it was just for a listening ear. She always found a way to love all that crossed her path.

She was also one of the hardest-working people you might come across. She graduated valedictorian from Atlantic Community College (now Atlantic Cape Community College) and received a BA with honors from Richard Stockton College (now University); she would go on to attend Rutgers Camden Law School before deciding to dedicate her time caring for her youngest son who was ill. Still with a love for law, she worked for Atlantic City law firm Goldenberg, Mackler, & Sayegh. She later served as a United States District Court Judicial Assistant for Jerome B. Simandle in Camden, NJ, where she would work for over 20 years until illness and the pandemic forced her retirement in February of 2020. If you knew Maria, you knew that she was very particular, organized, and detail oriented, traits that were no match for the cancer that she fought. An overachiever to the end, she made sure to do all she could to the best of her ability and helped ensure the successes of others regardless of her work circumstances.

Finally, Maria loved life and all it had to offer. She loved her family deeply – she loved attending their events, get-togethers, celebrations, and everything in-between. She had a passion for the performing arts and loved to sing, dance, and act. Some of her happy places included instructing/attending Zumba classes or skiing down the white-capped mountains of Vermont. You could not find a bigger fan of Daddy Yankee than her. And above all else, she loved God and if you asked, she would proudly share that He was the source of her strength, resilience, and undying love. Maria will be greatly missed, but she will forever live on in the hearts of all those that loved her.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing on Saturday, May 14, 2022 from 2:00 pm-6:00 pm at the Marinella Funeral Home, 102 N. Third Street Hammonton, NJ 08037. Funeral services will follow at 6:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Higher Places Ministries 40 W Landis Ave, Vineland, NJ 08360, Hope All Day Recovery Center 701 NJ-50, Mays Landing, NJ 08330, or Abramson Cancer Center at The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania 3400 Spruce Street Philadelphia, PA 19104