Linda J. Martinez

Through the life of Linda Martinez we are reminded that there is nothing that matters more – that there is no greater gift to give than to love those around us with all our hearts. She never strived for great wealth or stature according to the world’s standards but lived her life to serve others in ways great and small. Linda was blessed to share the best years of her life with her true love with whom she established the family she cherished more than life itself. With a tender touch and a listening ear, Linda was a mother of sorts to so many young people in need of unconditional love and acceptance and in so doing, gave young people a sure footing in a world so often clothed in sinking sand. She leaves us with the gift of the very best kind – a glimpse of what true love really means in the everyday whirlwind of life.

As the sixties dawned in America, we were on the brink of some of the most turbulent days we would ever know. The winds of change were howling all around us as the advancements of women’s rights and civil rights along with the alteration in the way we applied the separation of church and state forever shaped the cultural fabric of our nation. This new decade brought great hope and joy to one young family from Kalamazoo, Michigan, as they were celebrating the birth of a healthy baby girl on August 2, 1960. This delightful bundle of joy was welcomed into the world by her parents, David and Shirley (Robinson) Kye, and was named Linda Joy. She was the third of four children in the Kye family joining her older brothers, Larry and Jefferson, and her younger brother, John. Linda was raised in the family home in Vicksburg where she enjoyed an upbringing that was rather typical for the youth of her generation.

Even as a young girl Linda was vibrant and so full of life. She was in Brownies and Girl Scouts, and she also twirled the baton and was a gymnast. She attended local schools and graduated from Vicksburg High School.

A new chapter in Linda’s life began when she met the young man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was Ruben Martinez, although at the time of their introduction she only knew him as the good looking man who drove by in his truck while she was with a friend that fateful day. Linda was smitten and in that moment during the early eighties, she declared that he was the man who would one day be hers. Their paths crossed again when Ruben drove by a local business where Linda was working. He waved and the world may have tilted off its axis just a bit. They started dating and fell deeply in love. With a desire to build a life together Linda and Ruben exchanged their vows on May 29, 1983.

The young couple settled in Vicksburg where Linda eagerly embraced her new role as a housewife. When she became a mother it seemed to be a role that she was born to fulfill as their four children, Marie, Ashley, Brooke, and Ruben Jr. were the light of her life – and it showed. Their births were among the greatest moments of her life and experiences she held near and dear to her heart for the rest of her life.

It was clear that her family was the focal point in Linda’s life as she made juggling the demands of being a wife, mother, and household manager seem effortless. The Martinez home was the place to be, too, as she always had an open door for everyone including several of her children’s friends. There were many young people in addition to her own that viewed her as “mom.” Everything that came out of Linda’s kitchen was something to remember, especially her fudge. When she was a teenager she made her fudge and cut it into small pieces to share with her brother, John. Not unlike most older sisters, Linda sometimes teased and tormented him when he wanted another piece. However, the most requested thing that came out of Linda’s kitchen was her “better than sex” chocolate cake. The devoted wife that she was, Linda always made two cakes – one for Ruben to have all to himself and one for everyone else. The holidays were always special times for the family to get together and for many years Linda’s mother lived with them and the two made quite the pair. With a desire to make the holiday special they made it so much more than just a holiday, they made it an event to remember.

Although there was nothing that was more important to Linda than her family, she did find fulfillment in other ways. Saturday evening was date night for Linda & Ruben. They would spend their time in the comfort of their home enjoying prime rib from one of their favorite places, Schnauzers Restaurant in Schoolcraft. She was also known for her love Chinese food. Linda enjoyed painting ceramics, crocheting, crossword puzzles, and playing bingo. Playing computer games was another favorite, especially on her favorite website: pogoclub.com, and she also hosted plenty of barbeques, did some karaoke, and played the lottery.

The list of things that made Linda a special woman is endless and is hard to capture in mere words. She was a fun loving and carefree woman who never tired of doing what was in the best interests of those around her. Linda was a gracious and forgiving woman by nature who always made time for anyone who needed her attention in any way. There was nothing that brought Linda Martinez more joy than being a grandmother later in life.

With what would seem to be so much time with which to complete her life symphony, Linda Martinez was taken from her loved ones. We are still reeling from our loss and trying to figure out how to move on without someone who was such a monumental part of our lives. She was a loving and devoted wife and although she treasured her role as a mother, she just may have argued that being a grandmother was the best part of the whole deal. Life will never be the same without Linda here, but our lives will be forever changed for the better because she was.

Linda J. Martinez of Vicksburg died July 14, 2011 at Borgess Medical Center. Linda’s family includes her husband, Ruben; her children, Ruben (Nicole) Martinez Jr., Marie (DiMeggo Mims) Martinez, Brooke (Alex Rambow) Martinez, and Ashley Martinez; her grandchildren, Ruben III, Mya, Calvin, Eyesin and Kenadie; her brothers, Larry Robinson & his partner Tom Geren, Jefferson Kye and his partner Jeffery Abshear, and John & his wife Kathy Kye; and her niece Brittany Kye. Linda was preceded in death by her parents David & Shirley Kye. Visit with her family Wednesday from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Life Story Funeral Home, Portage; 5975 Lovers Lane (344-5600). A memorial service will immediately follow at 5:00 p.m. at the same location. Please visit Linda’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo, sign her memory book online before coming to the funeral home, or make a memorial donation the American Cancer Society.