Loretta (Cockrell) Martinez

Our beloved mother, Loretta Cockrell Martinez, passed peacefully at her home in Albuquerque, NM on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family, including her pet yorkie, Zoey. Loretta was 83.

Loretta was born September 19, 1939 in Santa Rosa, NM to Wade and Estella Moreno Cockrell. During her younger days, she attended the Baptist Church with her father as well as St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church with her mother. She was baptized in both denominations. She had many fond memories of growing up in Santa Rosa. Roller skating with her friends in the downtown area was something she often talked about. She also spoke of driving on the old Tucumcari road with her friends, parking on the side of the road with their doors open, radios set to KOMA, and dancing in the street. During her high school years in Santa Rosa, student council and choir were a couple of her favorite activities. Up until her passing she still had a beautiful voice. She never failed to call those closest to her for their birthday and sing Las Mañanitas. Loretta waited tables in various restaurants in Santa Rosa for many years, creating lasting friendships and getting a peek of Elvis himself while doing so; One of her favorite stories from that time.

Later in life, she continued her education at Highlands University, graduating in 1985 with a Bachelors Degree, majoring in Anthropology and Sociology and a minor in Art. She married Donald Martinez and worked side by side with him at his law firm in Las Vegas, NM.

Loretta moved to Corrales and spent her time feeding her Koi fish and enjoying her flower garden and the view of the Sandia mountains. She lived there for a few years then moved to Albuquerque and remained there until her passing.

She enjoyed spending time with her family, whom she treasured, along with her dogs Zoey and Mogi. She made holidays extra special for her family. Some of her most cherished moments were of her family gathering together to prepare meals for the holidays.

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, Wade and Stella Cockrell; brother, Larry Cockrell; husband, Donald Martinez; and her sister, Fay Swift.

Survivors include her children, Sandy Sanchez (David) and Tony Martinez; her sister -in-law, Betty Jo Cockrell; 3 grandchildren, Brian Sanchez (Laura), (her Goddaughter) Loretta Torres (Daniel), and Danielle Sanchez (Joseph Apodaca); 2 great- granddaughters, Mia and Olivia Sanchez; 3 nieces, 2 nephews, and many great and great-great-nieces and nephews.

Loretta had a private visitation on November 25, 2022 and was cremated, handled by FRENCH-Westside.

She will be laid to rest at Saint Joseph Cemetery in Santa Rosa "on a beautiful spring day" as per her request.

Her final words when saying goodbye were always "Que Dios te Bendiga."