Rita Martinez

Maria Rita Aponte de Martinez was born on April 7, 1947 in Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico to Jose Felipe Aponte and Casilda Perez de Aponte. Her brothers are Rey and Rafi. Her sisters are Priscilla, Edith, and Iris. She and her family moved from Puerto Rico to Jersey City, New Jersey in March of 1957 when Rita was only 10 years old. She attended Saint Peters Grammar School and graduated from Accredited Evening School in 1966. Rita met Alex Sr. in 1961 through her sister-in-law, Gladys. Rita and Alex married in January 1968. They had 3 children together. Vanessa, Alex Jr., and Mikey. Rita adored her children and would do anything for them. In 1985 the family moved to Orlando, Florida for a work transfer. Rita worked as a Lab Technician at Western Electric which became AT&T, then Agere/Lucent Technologies from 1965 until 2003 when she retired. Rita was blessed with 3 beautiful grandchildren. Malcolm, Aleah, and Alex III. Rita was always spending time with them whenever she could. She spoiled her grandbabies like only a grandmother could. They were her heart. Rita is adored by her 2 daughter-in-laws, Regina and AnnMarie as she was like a second mother to them both. Rita had a sweet and gentle spirit and a heart of gold. She was an amazing woman full of strength, love, and compassion. She was patient and kind. Rita was a hard worker and loved to cook for and spend time with all of her family. She always enjoyed company in her home. She liked sewing, shopping, and decorating her home which was always open to everyone. Her family was her life, especially her kids and grandkids. She was the peace keeper in the family. Rita, Alex Sr, and Malcolm all got saved and Baptized together in June of 2004. Rita loved the Lord and enjoyed going to church. In fact, every week for the last year of her life she and her best friend, Joyce, would have praise and worship sessions in her home. They would blast the music, sing and dance. In March of 2008 Rita went into the hospital for severe stomach pains. During surgery to remove her gall bladder the doctor found a massive tumor on her liver. It had erupted and was hemorrhaging in her abdomen. She did not know that she had cancer before this. Rita spent 2 weeks in critical condition in the ICU. The doctors were sure she would not make it, so the family was called in. The Lord decided that it was not yet her time and blessed her with another 2 1/2 years before finally calling her home to Heaven on December 23, 2010. Rita never complained about anything, not even on her worst days. She fought a good fight and can now rest in peace in Heaven with her Lord and Savior. Rita was 63 years old, but she would tell you that she was 36. She had a great sense of humor. Rita was an Angel on Earth and a blessing to everyone in her life. She is precious to us all and will be missed more than words can express. Her memory will live forever in our hearts.