Ana Julia Martinez

Ana J. Martinez, 85, passed away on December 17, 2021, in Omaha, Nebraska.

Ana was preceded in death by her father, Felix Martinez, mother, Ramona Fonseca, husband, Carmelo Aviles, sons, Alonso Aviles Sr., Hiram Aviles, daughter, Consuelo Aviles, and siblings, Milagros, Frank, David, Domingo, Leoncio, Luis, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandchildren, Rafael, Candida, and Xavier.

Ana is survived by her daughter, Maria Hill, son, Yamil Perello, sister, Candida Martinez and two half-brothers, grandchildren, Gilbert, and Yadira Ortiz; Alonso, Crystal, and Andrew Aviles; Emily Aviles, and siblings; Omar, Xiomara, and Michael Aviles; Carmen, and Noah Perello; Karl, Jessie, and Diana Johnson; Caasi and Joey Flores; many nieces and nephews; great-grandchildren, Gilbert, Cecelia, Woi, Alyana; Angelo, Eli; Caden; Andres; Izayah; Xavier and many more great-grandchildren and Godchildren.
Ana was born on April 7, 1936, in Cataño, Puerto Rico, to Felix Martinez and Ramona Fonseca. As a child, she loved to run around, climb trees, swim in the ocean, and hide under her family home. She completed her education with an associate college degree. She married Carmelo Aviles and then made a home in Bayamon, Puerto Rico surrounded by sugar cane and coffee fields. The couple had four children but her husband passed in 1964. Ana moved with her small children to Guaynabo, Puerto Rico in 1967. She continued to raise her children until her first grandchild, Gilbert, was sick in New York City and refused to leave the hospital without his grandma. Ana went to him and then chose to stay in New York. Her other children soon followed her there, however, in 1980, Ana decided she wanted a better life for her kids and needed to leave New York City. To find a new home, she opened a large map, threw a dart, and it landed on San Angelo, Texas. So that is where they moved. After a few years there, she moved again. This time to Nebraska to be with her oldest grandchild again. Her youngest children followed her until they were all together again. Ana visited her beloved Puerto Rico as much as she could, and sometimes even brought the family back with her. Bellevue, Nebraska became her forever home where family memories were made, friends became family and love, and comfort was known.

Ana was strong, kind, loving and everyone's favorite grandma who enjoyed gardening, singing, art, collecting her favorite things, sharing stories, and of course, following her Catholic faith. She was always willing to help anyone and give great advice. Most of all, her pride and joy was her family who will remember and miss her forever and always.

FUNERAL MASS Thursday, December 23, at 10:00am at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Memorials will be directed by the family.