Leonor Ortiz Martinez Curtis was born August 30th, 1932, in Brownsville Texas. She enjoyed her childhood adventures with her brother Ignacio there before the birth of her next two brothers Frank and Daniel when she was fourteen and sixteen. Her brothers were her protectors, advisors, bestfriends and first babies. The whole family moved to San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1950 when she was 18 and they lived there for four years where she worked at the Caribe Hilton Hotel, San Juan. Upon returning to the mainland United States in Brownsville, she began working at the bank where she met the love of her life Donald Grover Curtis in the drive thru teller lane. She joked that she liked that he never bounced checks. They married in 1965, and in 1967 welcomed their first-born daughter Catherine Elizabeth, then Carlotta Dawn, and finally David Henry in 1973.

As a mother, she was devoted to her children, modeling generosity to others, and teaching the kindness that she showed us all of the years of her very long life. She donated what she could to end child hunger, cystic fibrosis, support environmental protection and many other causes. She was especially passionate about helping immigrants, and anyone who needed the help of others. She was always cooking and never wanted any of us to go without. She bragged non-stop about the accomplishments of her daughters, son, and sons-in-law, and especially those of her granddaughters. She always believed in us no matter what we wanted to learn, and was certain that we could do absolutely anything, making us believe in ourselves. Her devotion and love for her son David was unparalleled and truly inspiring.

She loved listening to music, whether it was Gipsy Kings, Andrea Bocelli, or Luciano Pavarotti, and loved being married to a jazz and classical musician. She had many friends and often made friends with strangers in public as she loved to talk with everyone. She was proud of having assisted stranded travelers when in the airport in Japan by translating Spanish into English for the air transportation employees who did not speak Spanish. She loved being kind to everyone she met.

Because she could see well, she drove her Cadillac until she was 86 years old. Her last few years of life she was bedridden, but her spirits were never down, and she was so happy to see her granddaughters when they would visit from Japan or when Lily would pop in for a visit. Even a FaceTime call from family would light up her face and she would say “Hi! I love you! Besitos!” She cherished every moment when loved ones would come visit and spend the day, or a few hours with her and just be there for her. Melinda and Mary, Frank Jr., Kim, Lily, Frank Sr. and Yolanda, Nacho and Pat and others visited as often as they could.

She will be reunited with Don in heaven and is survived by her daughter Catherine, son in law Jun, daughter Carlotta, former son in law Ron, and son David, her three brothers and sisters in law Ignacio (Nacho) and Pat Martinez, Frank and Yolanda Martinez, Daniel and Debbie Martinez, three granddaughters Maia, Lily, and Ivy, nieces and nephews Debbi, Samuel, Robert, Kerri, John, Olivia, Frank Jr., Kim, Adrian, Marci, Oscar, Dennette, Carmen, Daniel Jr. and Thomas and second cousin LeAnne as well as many friends.

Her final wish is that you don’t cry for her but sing, live, and prosper in her memory. More than anything, she loves that you are alive and fortified with her love!