BACA, Martina

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona 04/18/2006 Martina Baca, 92, died March 30, 2006 at the Friendship House in Eagar. She was born March 26, 1914 in Springerville. Martina was a friend to all and everyone who knew her loved her. For many years she was active in volunteering at the Round Valley Senior Citizens Center and received many awards for her service there. She always will be remembered for her selfless giving, her famous tortillas and sopapillas and driving around town to visit family and friends in her infamous, light blue Ford Granada. She enjoyed picking piñons, visiting shut-ins and taking an "occasional" trip to the Hon-Dah Casino. Her survivors are daughters: Mary B. Smith (Dean), Eagar; Marian Ballejos (Paul) Mesa; and sons Bill Baca (Georgiana), Hope; and Tommy Baca (Mary), Chandler; 21 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren and 24 great-great-grandchildren. Other survivors include brothers Johnny Chavez and Abelino Chavez, Springerville; and sister Irene Moya, Springerville. Preceding Martina in death were her husband, Pedro Baca, three daughters: Priscella Baca, Sadi Baca and Clovia Jaramillo and son, Malcolm Baca. Services were held at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Springerville, a Rosary April 2 and Funeral Mass April 3. Martina was laid to rest at the Springerville Cemetery.