An Original: Longtime Educator Eva Martinez, RIP
If you knew Eva Martinez, chances are pretty good that you won’t forget her. In a flattering way, she was known as the Dolly Parton of South Texas, with her hair, makeup, and wardrobe always styled to perfection.
Approximately six years ago, June 2019, The Advance wrote and published a story about the passing of her husband of 58 years, Judge Dario Martinez, and now, sadly, it’s time to write a tribute to the woman he loved for so many years after they first met as fellow students at the old Pan American College.
Funny how we can butt heads with people, and then we turn into the best of friends.
That’s how it was with Eva and me. Especially during the 1990s. No matter what I wrote about the school she loved so much, Buell Elementary, it was never quite right. The story should have been at the top of the page, or I should have included more pictures of the students.
One time I got so exasperated with her after a heated discussion over the phone, I called up her husband, Dario, and said, “If I don’t get along with your wife, can you and I still be friends?”
Of course, he said. There was no doubt that Dario worshipped the ground upon which his wife walked, but he knew that even though I was complaining about her at that particular moment in time, it didn’t mean that I really didn’t like her, which I always did.
People with their own personal sense of style have always intrigued me, and for them, I have always had respect. That was the epitome of Eva Martinez. Even after battling six rounds of cancer, she was still meticulous in the way she dressed and carried herself, always smiling, and she never complained. Optimistic, smart, upbeat, and kind. That’s what I remember most about Eva Martinez.
Then, either she mellowed a little bit, or I did a better job of covering Buell, and we became close friends, and remained that way over the years.
Moving into the present, I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again — none of us knows for sure that there is an Afterlife. We hope for it, pray for it, have faith in its existence because, well, for one thing, it helps us cope with the here and now. We lose friends, family, and it’s so much nicer to think, believe, that their soul lives on — their true essence, the part of them that makes them so unique is still alive, so to speak. Their spark still lit.
Dario, when he was dying, which took months, would often talk to me about how he wished the pain he was suffering would end. Sure, he’d miss his wife, his children, grandchildren of whom he was so very proud, but living was so miserable, the pain unbearable, that living was no longer tolerable or enjoyable.
Point is, I have faith in the existence of Heaven because the thought of Dario and Eva Martinez once again reuniting does indeed put a smile on my face. Seldom have I seen two people more in love.
Eva Martinez’s full obituary, courtesy of Memorial Funeral Home, is pasted below, Rest in peace, pretty lady:
Eva C. Martinez, 88, entered eternal rest peacefully and surrounded by her loved ones, Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance in Edinburg.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Judge Dario Lino Martinez; her parents, Moises Casas and Elvira Bazan Casas; five siblings, Carlos Casas, Esther Gomez, Elvira Saldana, Moises Casas Jr., and Jose Casas.
Eva is survived by her three daughters, Dolores Laura (Ramon) Marroquin, Sandra Liza (Rene Barrera) Martinez, Victoria Lucia (Leodan) Farias; and seven grandchildren, Dr. Jaime Jay Sanchez, Arturo Matthew Sanchez, Julian Dario Farias, Leodan Adriel Farias, Joaquin J. Martinez Barrera, Brianna Eve Farias, and Lucien Dario Martinez Barrera.
Eva was born in Puerto Rico, Texas, and grew up in Edinburg. She attended Edinburg High School and was in Sergeanettes where she held the title of Lieutenant. She participated in Choir, Girl’s Ensemble and Future Teachers of American Librarian. At Pan American University she was a member of Alma de Las Americas, the Bronkettes, the Pan American College Choir and the vocalist in the Girl’s Octette. She was a Band Twirler and was voted Bronco Bougainvillea Belle. Eva was a finalist in Miss Pan America VI and Duchess to the Citrus Fiesta.
She was one of eight elected to Who’s Who by faculty members and chosen for this honor based on scholarship, leadership, and contributions made to the college. She was a member of the Catholic Newman Club fostering spiritual and intellectual interests. She received her B.A. in Education from Pan American University.
Eva met the love of her life, Dario, in a “Dating for Moderns” class. She later received her Master’s Degree in Administration graduating Suma Cum Laude from Texas A&I University Kingsville, now Texas A&M Kingsville. She received a diploma in Professional Interior & Decoration from the Chicago School of Interior Design and Decoration. Eva was a lifelong educator, where she was principal at Buell Elementary School and instrumental in establishing it as a historical marker. She later opened Dr. William Long Elementary, serving as the first principal. She was inducted into the Who’s Who of International Administrators Library of Congress.
Eva began her career in education in Edinburg and spent most of her years in the PSJA school district. She worked 46 years in education, motivating, leading and loving the children, staff and families of all communities she served. She was known to serve with compassion and love. She spent countless hours creating a beautiful environment for her students and staff. Her school was always spotless, welcoming, nurturing and inviting to all guests. It was rare that Eva went anywhere without encountering a former student or staff member. She loved to speak with them and hear of their growth and success.
Eva’s hobbies included photography, journalism, landscaping, interior design, dancing, piano, twirling and singing. She loved her daughters and grandchildren immensely. Her faith, doctors and will to live got her through 6 bouts of cancer. A true prayer warrior and miracle, Eva lived life to fullest and adored her family and friends. She was known to open her heart and gave generously to anyone in need. Eva leaves a legacy of generosity, love, compassion and zest for life.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to Dr. Alvaro Restrepo, Dr. Julian Gomez, Dr. Vinnie Kallumadanda, Dr. Lia Soazo, Dr. Ruben Abreu, Dr. Y. Wady Aude, Dr. Errol Grannum, Dr. Asif Zamir, Dr. Salil Mangi and her intensivists Dr. Satish Nandyala, Dr. Manuel J. Ramos and Dr. Jay Lakshmikanth. Additionally, heartfelt love and appreciation for the nurses and staff at Texas Oncology McAllen and DHR SICU who treated Eva with such love and compassion.
Visitation will begin at 5 p.m., with a 6 p.m. rosary Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan. Memorial mass will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, March 14, 2025, at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in McAllen. Interment of cremated remains will follow at Palm Valley Memorial Gardens in Pharr.
Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan.