Living Treasures Story
by Jerry A. Padilla , The Taos News, October 12, 2001
Whatever I have done in my
life, I never expected this," said Frances Mares Martinez about being selected a Living Treasure.
"In my life, I never wanted a reward for anything I've done to help others."
Frances Mares Martinez was
born Jan. 21, 1915, in Taos. Her parents, Adolfo Maestas and Preciliana Griego Maestas were
natives of Talpa, but Martinez is Taos born and raised.
Widowed twice, Martinez's
first marriage was with the late Teodoro "Pope" Trujillo. This
union was blessed with five
children -- Pete R. Trujillo (Bernadette) of Taos, Ted G. Trujillo of Albuquerque, Ernesto A.
Trujillo, deceased, Cecilia M. Trujillo of Seattle, and the late Frank F. Trujillo.
Her second marriage was to
the late Laviano "Larry" Mares. Currently, Mares Martinez and husband Carlos Martinez still reside
in Taos.
Even though Mares Martinez
was busy with raising five children, she devoted her time also to several nieces, nephews, friends
and neighbors and her community. She has been described by those who know her well as
always smiling and maintaining positive attitudes about life. The door of her home has
always been open to anyone who might drop by, whether it was to share a meal, or
provide a place to stay for friends and relatives passing through. "At times, this meant giving up
her own bed and joining those camping out on the floor, something she's known to
occasionally still do," said daughter Bernadette Trujillo.
There have always been
former students who moved away and returned years later to visit. When in Taos, they always manage
to stop by, thanking Mares Martinez for all the times she was there for them, if only to
listen or when they needed her advice. Some credit her with being instrumental in
their own life success. One young man has told her, "When I lost my mother, you were like a
mother for me." Another young lady said, "When we come to you with our problems, and
because you sit and listen and never judge us, we always leave feeling better."
Mares Martinez said, "I owe
a lot to the schools, the Town of Taos and the Phil Lovato Senior Citizen Center." She worked 23
years with the Taos schools, 21 of those as Food Services director. She supervised 26
women who comprised the cafeteria staff of seven schools in the district. Mares Martinez
has the distinction of a 12-year span of perfect attendance during her career there. In
the 1950s, she was also president of the Parent Teacher Association at Taos High and on
the advisory committee for the board. Mares Martinez also used to help with "Summer
Round Up," going around the community to sign up children for school who would be six
years of age by September.
After retiring, Mares
Martinez completed a course through the University of New
Mexico to be a law
advocate. She devoted time at the courthouse as a volunteer
preparing wills, dealing
with Social Security issues, and with referrals to help Taos
area people four years. Volunteering
became a way of life. She often took on the paperwork for food
distributions through
Human Services, and later at the Ancianos Center program.
Mares Martinez served 25
years on the Sierra Vista Cemetery Board of Directors, and has
been a board member of the
Abuelitos and Retired Senior Volunteer Program. Working with
former Mayor Phil Lovato
among others, Mares Martinez helped get La Loma Plaza
designated an official
state historical site, and is actively involved in the
beautification and maintenance
of this historical zone. Having been appointed by Lovato to
the Taos Historical Site
Committee, she served on it four years. A member of the VFW
Auxiliary Post 3259 of
Taos for 32 years, she has served as president, secretary,
chaplain and has been on
the council. Other service included involvement with the local
unit of Educational Retirees,
for which she served as secretary and treasurer for 12 years.
With the Association of
Retired Persons, Taos Chapter, Mares Martinez was secretary
six years and has been a
volunteer with the Holy Cross Hospital Auxiliary several
years. Mares Martinez has
been recognized through the years for her service by the VFW,
New Mexico Conference on
Aging, and New Mexico Association of Educational Retirees.
At age 86, she still
volunteers three days a week at the Ancianos Senior Center and
has helped out there 23
years. Still active in the community, Mares Martinez explained
she's "been fortunate to
have gotten to work with the administrations of Taos mayors
Garcia, Cantu, Lovato,
Santistevan, Jeantete and Peralta."
Her advice to young people
is: "Get along well and help one another. Show love and respect for everyone, and God should
always be a part of your life."
