Lydia Gastelum Martinez passed from this earth on Saturday, August 31, 2024.  She was 97.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Diego and Marina Gastelum, her siblings, Angelita "Nina" Howell (H. Leroy), Diego Gastelum (Maria), and Edward Gastelum (M. Jo Ellen), her ex-husband, Raul Martinez, and her children, Francisco "Frank" (1950), Frances (1984) (Arturo Ochoa), and R. Daniel (2013). She was born January 23, 1927 in Tucson, AZ.  She was a graduate of Tucson High School and went on to marry Raul Martinez June 4, 1949.  Heartache struck quickly with the death of her newborn Frank, but it was tempered by his twin sister Frances coming home.  They raised 6 of their 7 children, those she is survived by are Celia "Sally" Martinez, Naomi Edwards (Michael, deceased), Lydia Martinez-Baker (Bruce Baker), and Marina Martinez (George Reed).  She is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Arthur Ochoa (Carie), Christina Martinez, Jessica Hartzell (Larry), Francine Martinez, Jaquelyn Rogers (Jeff), Jessie and Kelsey Wren, and 10 great-grandchildren, Cassandra Winchester and Rudy Laurelez (From Christina) Evan and Cole Ochoa (From Arthur and Carie), Frances Westwood (Michael), Stephen and Abigail Hartzell (From Jessica and Larry), Johnny Martinez (From Francine), Ryder and Rylee (from Jaquelyn and Jeff).  She and Raul divorced leaving Lydia with 2 children at home.  She promptly stepped up and began working at Mazeika's Molding and then Levy's Department Store as a seamstress.  This determination to not allow anything to hold her back was a huge lesson in perseverance and self-reliance to her children who still talk about it to this day.  She retired from Levy's when she was 62 and went to work at the Grand Canyon during the summer season as a clerk.  When in Tucson she spent time with her children, grandchildren, and later great-grandchildren who cherished the time they spent with her.  Lydia's services will be on Friday, September 20th at Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, located at 507 W. 29th Street - South Tucson, AZ. Rosary will be at 10:30 - Mass will immediately follow - Interment will be at Holy Hope Cemetery. Lydia's Celebration of Life will be at the Knights of Columbus, located at 601 S. Tucson Blvd until 4:00 pm.