Maria Estela Martinez

Maria Estela Martinez, 76, of Indianapolis, IN, passed away on January 6, 2024, after a brief illness and she was surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

Maria, or as most of us knew her as Estela, was born in Laredo, Texas to Jesus Ramirez and Francisca (Castro) Ramirez on April 14, 1947, and was one of 9 children. A few years after meeting Charles Martinez in Laredo and getting married in 1964, Charles and Estela, along with their 2 young sons, Carlos and Armando, moved to Indiana in 1968. While in Indiana, they had 2 more children, Lydia and David and Estela loved being a mother and always made sure that her children knew how much they were loved. One of the biggest ways Estela showed her love, not only for her children, but for her friends, was through her cooking. Around the holidays or for the birthday of one of her children/grandchildren, she was making either tamales, menudo or pozole.

In the mid-80’s, Estela worked at the Hispano American Center, located in downtown Indianapolis. She would regularly help the ever-growing Hispanic population that was here and arriving in Indianapolis, whether it was assisting them in finding housing, food, and clothing, especially around the holidays. She would also assist those who needed Spanish/English translations whether it was translating documents or going with them to be their translator in court or the hospital.

In the late 90’s, Estela continued her social work at Methodist Hospital helping the new employees with ESL (English as a Second Language) or assisting the Methodist staff with Spanish translations. In May 2010, Estela graduated from Martin University at the young age of 63, with her B.A. and she continued to work at Methodist Hospital until her retirement a couple of years later.

After her retirement, she enjoyed spending time doing yard work and caring for her rose bushes and indoor plants. She also would make annual trips back to her home state of Texas to visit her brothers and sisters—she never forgot where she came from and was proud to be a “Tejana.”

Maria Estela Martinez was predeceased by her parents, Jesus and Francisca Ramirez, her husband, Charles Martinez, her oldest son, Carlos Martinez, her brothers, Arturo, Alfredo, Alfonso and her sister, San Juana.  Estela is survived by her children, Armando (Judi) Martinez, Lydia Martinez, David (Danielle) Martinez and her grandchildren Julia and Alex (Armando and Judi) Martinez, Isabella Batalla (Lydia) and one great-grandchild, Victoria Atiles (Isabella Batalla and Chris Atiles-Velazquez), and her remaining siblings, Margarita, Yolanda, Alicia and, Jesus.

Visitation will be held at O’Riley Branson Funeral Service & Crematory on Thursday, January 11, from 4:00pm-6:00pm (6107 S. East St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46227) A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Jude Catholic Church on Friday, January 12, 2024, at 10:00am, (5353 McFarland Rd., Indianapolis, Indiana, 46227).

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to: The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 681405, Indianapolis, Indianapolis, 46268. Envelopes will be provided at the funeral home.

Please visit our website to leave a condolence or your favorite story of Maria.
There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart.

~Mahatma Ghandi