Lupe Diaz Martinez-Valdez

Lupe Diaz Martinez-Valdez passed away on March 31st at 4:45 AM in the comfort of her own home, surrounded by close family at the age of 76. She was battling Pancreatic cancer and had determined she was done with treatments and wanted to live out the rest of her life on her own terms. Lupe had previously been a caregiver for most of her life. She retired after caring for her late husband, Roger Valdez. She resided in Montrose, Colorado for the last 18 years in order to be closer to her daughter and granddaughters. Lupe was born on November 26, 1948 to Gregorio & Carlotta Martinez in Derry, New Mexico. She was the second youngest of 13 children. Lupe spent her childhood in Sylmar, California graduating from Sylmar high school. As a young adult, she married her soulmate Roger Valdez in 1967. They resided in Ventura County, California until they moved to Montrose. Lupe enjoyed listening to music, dancing, cooking and spending time with her family & grandchildren. Lupe is survived by her three children, Roger Valdez JR. (Cynthia Valdez), Renee Valdez-Knowles (Donny Knowles) and Erik Valdez. Her 13 grandchildren; Patricia Parra (Oscar Parra), Victoria Cornejo (Caleb Cramer), Marcella Cornejo (Cody Champlin), Isabella Cornejo (Scotty Tenney), Phlora Valdez, Devon Valdez, Gerald Vasquez, David Francis (Kelly Francis), Demitry Knight-Valdez, Kyle Tipton, Christopher Hoover, Aliyah Valdez, Halo-Olivia Valdez, Hunter Garcia, & Haylie Richardson (Jacob Richardson). Her great grandchildren; Jeremiah Francis, Journee Francis, Aniyah Vasquez and one on the way, Selena Cornejo. She is also survived by her siblings Richard Martinez ( Tommie Martinez), Raymond Martinez ( Margarita Martinez), Marty Martinez ( Chris Martinez), Jessie Madrid (Ace Madrid), Angie Ortiz (John Ortiz), Jenny Wall (David Wall). She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her 3 sisters ( Maria Martinez, Nellie Flores & Connie Leos), her 3 brothers (Ernesto Martinez, Celso (Joe) Martinez, Gregorio Martinez).

Services will be held at Crippin Funeral Home on April 12th at 10 AM. Celebration of life will be held afterwards at the Elks Lodge in Montrose.