Dorothy Annette Atencio-Martinez

Dorothy Annette Martinez (Atencio) went to be with her heavenly father on 08/20/2023 surrounded by her family. She was 4 days shy of celebrating her 87th birthday.

She was born on 08/24/1936 to Alcario and Jennie Vigil in Ignacio, Colorado. She was the 4th of 13 children and she was also a twin. She married her first love, Orlando Jose Atencio February 6th, 1956. In their 19 years of marriage, they had 4 sons. After the passing of Orlando in 1975, she would go on to marry Willie J. Martinez in 1994. They spent 14 years together.

In her 86 years, Dorothy touched many hearts and lives through her love, wisdom and faith. She enjoyed cooking and entertaining for family and friends. No one ever left her home with an empty stomach. Cooking was such a big part of her life, she chose it as a career. She spent over 20 years cooking and serving the students at Durango Senior High School. Dorothy was a proud member of the Catholic Daughters for Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Durango. She believed strongly in staying active and in her spare time she would clean homes, work in her yard, play Sudoku and do puzzles, fishing, collecting rocks and lending a helping hand to anyone who needed it. She was a woman of principle and courage. She was always firm in her beliefs and her strength was a genuine impact to those around her. Dorothy was more than a strong figure; she was a woman of gentle smiles and soft hugs. Her smile would light up any room. She loved dancing and singing to Spanish music every chance she got. Her family was the beacon of her existence, and she enjoyed spending time with them. She was always proud of the family she created and made sure everyone knew it.

Dorothy was welcomed into heaven’s gate by her parents, Alcario & Jennie; Her 2 husbands, Orlando and Willie; Sons, Michael & Lionel; Angel twins (passed at birth); Sisters, Alivamah, Margarita, Rose (John), Dora (Merle), Dolores (Victor) & Shirley; Grandsons, Dominick & Adam.

She is survived by her sons, Ronald (Vickie) of Anthony, NM, Anthony (Lori) of Farmington, NM; Siblings, Joe (Cora) of Grand Junction, Betty (Eddie) of Ignacio, Pete (Marlene) of Ignacio, Paul (Julie) of St. Louis, MO, Stephanie of Ignacio & Stella(Stan) of Ignacio; Daughter in-laws, Ruby of Colorado Springs, Annie of Delta. She left behind 10 Grandchildren (Heather, Angela, Krista, Brandy, Orlando, Michael, Joshua, Patrick, Danielle & Tayler) and many Great-grandchildren and Great Great-grandchildren. She is also survived by extended family John, Sue, Adam & Shannon Ruetschle, Bruce & Beverly Scott and Ryan, Kristal & Sarah Phelps.

The family would like to give a special thanks to staff and residents of Three Rivers Assisted Living in Farmington, NM for their love, care and for making the last 8 months of her life very special. Also, a heartfelt thank you to the Doctors & Nurses of San Juan Regional Medical Center and Guardian Angel Home Health in Farmington, NM.

Pallbearers will be Jeremy Archibeque, Larry Dean Benavides, Pedro Vigil, Adam Ruetschle, Tom Atencio, Bruce Scott, Everardo Rubio & Raymond Atencio. Honorary Pallbearers will be Wendell Vigil, Joshua Atencio, Braylon Zambrano, Keith Tucker & Donny Valencia.

Services in memory of Dorothy are as follows: Viewing: Sunday, August 27th, 2023 from 2:00pm-5:30pm at Hood Mortuary, Durango CO; Rosary: Monday, August 28th, 2023 at 7:00pm at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Ignacio CO; Mass: Tuesday, August 29th, 2023 at 10:00am at St. Ignatius Catholic Church; Burial: following Mass at Ignacio West Cemetery; Reception to follow at St. Ignatius Parish Hall. Live stream of services at hoodmortuary.com.