Delores Jeane Martin

Delores Jeane Martin, 91, was lifted to God by her angels on Sept 29th, 2024, at 10:20 pm at Mesilla Valley Hospice. My mom had a request in life that someone hold her hand when it was her time to go. I couldn’t have been more honored to fill that request. When she passed, she took my heart with her. I realized at that moment she would no longer be in pain and that helped me cope. My mother was strong, fierce, protective, giving, powerful, artistic, musical, humorous and beautiful. She always said her children were her greatest achievements and I know that her love for them was only surpassed by her love of God. She was an amazing and intelligent woman that accomplished everything she put her mind to. I was blessed to have the best mom in the world.

Mom was born to Ben and Virginia Holstein in Charleston, West Virginia on November 5th, 1932. Mom lived her early life in Charleton and later moved to Phoenix Arizona with her parents and three younger brothers Ross, Jack and Benny. She enjoyed her time living in Phoenix and I remember the stories, commemorating her youth, that she would tell us. Later in her youth she moved again with her parents and brothers to Albuquerque, New Mexico where she attended Albuquerque High School. Her emphasis was on Art and Music. She received several awards from the Latham Foundation for her contributions to the art department and acted and sang in plays throughout her high school years. She was also nominated for an art scholarship to University of New Mexico. Mom graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1951.

After high school mom went to work for the telephone company in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She worked there for several years as a teletype operator until she began a family with her then husband William F. Martin. She had three children: Lin (1957), Bret (1959), Lew (1961). Mr. Martin was in the Air Force and the family lived in many places. 

In 1974 mom moved to Las Cruces where she continued to raise us. She was a successful sales representative and buyer for Kmart Corporation until her retirement after 24 years of service. Mom took a little time off but decided to go back to work for Cracker Barrel for another 15 years. She was known throughout the community for her smiling face and helpful personality. She never knew a stranger and many people would come just to see her and chat with her. She was truly amazing! Towards the end of her career at Cracker Barrel she was nominated to be the “Cracker Barrel Lady” representing the company and promoting the company in the state of New Mexico. She received over 110 customer service awards during her career in retail. Mom worked incredibly hard to accomplish her goals in the customer service field. She finally retired at 86 years of age with 40 years of retail service experience.

Mom’s hobbies included knitting, singing, roller skating, cooking, and reading Diana Gabaldon novels, as well as talking to Ms. Gabaldon on the phone for her birthday. Her favorite color was blue. Favorite singer is Lady GaGa. Favorite food pasta, chocolate ice cream and graham crackers with cream cheese. She was a lifelong fashionista and loved dressing up and wearing her collection of jewelry. She loved sitting on the porch and watching the white billowy clouds go by while sharing some coffee with her children. Her children brought her greatest joy. You were truly the wind beneath our wings! Delores was preceded in death by her parents Ben and Virginia Holstein as well as, brothers Ross Holstein, Jack Holstein and ex-husband William F. Martin.

Delores is survived by her son Bret Martin, her caretaker in her later years, daughter Lin Samuelson of Las Cruces and son Lew Martin and granddaughter McKenna Martin of Dallas, Texas.

No services will be held. Please make any donations to the Alzheimer’s Association or the American heart Association.

Thanks to all that loved her. She was an angel. She was my mom.