Barbara Jean Martinez

“A life well-loved is well-lived. “

Surrounded by family who love her, Barbara Jean Martinez passed away just before dawn on Wednesday, September 29, 2021.  Born in San Francisco, CA on September 25, 1944, Barbara was the daughter of Raymond and Nancy (Natole) Martinez and sister to Jeannette Rosalyn and Maria Adele.

Barbara attended Visitation Valley Elementary School, Luther Burbank Junior High, and graduated from Balboa High School in 1962.  Along with her many friends, Barbara loved to go to the beach, dance, and listen to music.  She attended San Francisco City College and began her working career at Columbus Glass Company in San Francisco. 

After spending many summers in Sonoma, CA as a child, Barbara purchased her home and moved to Sonoma, CA in 1973.  She loved to travel and spent many a day driving her 1968 turquoise blue Camaro with her Siamese cat, Ramos, on her shoulder. In 1985, she realized her life-long dream and gave birth to her beloved son, Matthew Raymond Martinez, raising him in Sonoma, CA.

Barbara worked for Pacific Gas and Electric Company for over 25 years as a clerk and customer service rep in Marin County and Sonoma. She retired at 50 years old and went on to work for the Sonoma Valley Unified School District as an instructional aide and volunteered for the Sonoma Police Department through their community service program.

Barbara loved new experiences, be it a new restaurant or a new place to visit. She valued her friendships and family and loved attending live concerts, especially Johnny Mathis.  Her most memorable trips were to Buffalo, New York, and Italy where she enjoyed the sights and food of her Italian roots.

Barbara is pre-deceased by her parents, Ray and Nancy Martinez, sister, Jeannette (Martinez) Cernobori, niece Claudine Cernobori and nephew Dante Cernobori.  Faithfully holding her memory here on earth are her son, Matthew Martinez (girlfriend Julia), her sister, Maria Martinez (husband Alan Esquibel), godson, Nick Martinez, nephew, Michael Martinez-Esquibel, and goddaughter, Lorelei Cernobori.

When reaching out to those touched by her life to let them know of her passing, words like “my hero, second mom, strong, magnificent, wise, amazing, fun, sweet, and kind “were uttered – she was and will remain clearly well-loved.  We will carry her warm smile in our hearts forever and honor her life well-lived.

Services will be held on November 6, at St. Leo’s Catholic Church at 601 Agua Caliente Road W in Sonoma CA at 11:00AM. Reception to follow at Andrews Hall located at 276 E. Napa St, Sonoma, CA.

For those who would like to donate in her honor, the family would like to support FRIENDS IN SONOMA HELPING (FISH) -https://www.friendsinsonomahelping.org/donate.html. 

Flowers can be sent from SONOMA FLOWERS BY SUSAN & SALLY BLUE https://www.sonomaflowers.net

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara Jean Martinez, please visit our floral store.