Mary Marguerite Martinez

Mary Marguerite McGrede Hegseth Rhoades Martinez died December 6, 2016 at Sutter Medical Center, in Sacramento, California. She was 62. She was born January 8, 1954 to Adrian (David) and Faith McGrede in Ridgecrest, Cal., and soon moved to Huntsville, Alabama, where she would spend 8 years before moving to San Jose, Cal., and eventually to Amador County, California. Mary graduated from Amador High School with the Class of 1972, in Sutter Creek, Cal., where she would settle for many years. After putting herself through Heald Business College, she took a job as a warehouse clerk at the Lumber Mill, in Martell. At 21, Mary was diagnosed with vocal cord cancer, enduring radiation therapy and losing her voice for many months, earning her the nickname at the mill of "Little Whisper." During her time at the mill, Mary found her second husband, Harry Rhoades, to whom she was wed for 13 years. The two moved to Lodi for about 6 months, where they bore a son, Michael, whom they both loved dearly. The family returned to Amador County shortly after Michael's birth. Mary then took a position with the Calaveras County Auditor-Controller's Office, where she worked for 5 years before beginning her final career, as a clerk for the US Postal Service, in Stockton. It was during her time at the post office that she found Frank C. Martinez Jr. The two were wed in October, 2000 and resided in Stockton. In 2004, Mary had another battle with cancer, leading to a series of surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy and eventually causing her to retire after 10 years of service. Mary was a go-getter. She didn't let anything slow her down. She took a volunteer position with American Postal Worker Union, as a retirement and beneficiary coordinator, working throughout the state, helping many people in their times of need - putting her problems aside to help others. Mary enjoyed nature, traveling to many of the State and National Parks; helping people; and spending time with her family, her friends and her grand-dog, Rosco. Mary is survived by her husband, Frank C. Martinez, Jr. of Stockton, CA; son, Michael (Janice) Rhoades, of Plumas Lake, CA; stepdaughters, Lisa (Wendy) Miller and Suzanne Martinez, of Stockton; granddaughter, Eliza Martinez; sisters, Kathy (Michael) Coy, of Sutter Creek, and Linda (Howard) Sharples, of Longview, WA; brother, John McGrede, of Jackson, CA; sister, Jamie (Terry) Turner of Canby, OR; nephews, Stacy Rhoades, Stephen Conerby, Cody Pearson and Joshua Coy; nieces, Tina Seever, Danielle Crocker, Deirdra Braddy, Adrianne Sharples, Laura Conerby, Alexis McGrede and Katherine Mcdaris; and many other extended family. A service will be held on Saturday, December 17. Viewing will begin at 9:30 a.m., and the service will commence at 11 a.m., at Daneri Mortuary, 415 Broadway, Jackson, CA. Graveside service will follow, at Sunset View Cemetery, and reception at Italian Picnic Grounds thereafter. If so desired, donations may be made to Sutter Medical Center Foundation, 2800 L Street, Suite 420, Sacramento, CA 95816. Please note in the memo line of check: "In Memory of Mary Martinez."