Stella Anita Martinez See
Stella Martinez See, age 94, died peacefully in her sleep on May 21, 2021,
in Centralia WA, where she resided in Lander House, an adult family home.
Stella lived and worked her adult life in Fort Collins CO, before moving to
Ocean Shores WA, in 2015 to be nearer to her children.
Stella was born in Reno NV in 1927 to Frank and Andreita Martinez. They
were both originally from northern New Mexico. She attended schools in
Reno and University of Nevada. In 1950 she married Robert See, a farmer
in Indiana. Stella became a Midwestern farm wife and had three
daughters. In 1960 the family moved to Fort Collins. Stella resumed her
education, earning a BA in 1969 from Colorado State University, an MA in
1971 from University of Northern Colorado, and later a public school
administrator’s certificate from University of Colorado.
Above all else, Stella was an educator. She taught Spanish to junior and
senior high students, bilingual classes in summer migrant schools in
Colorado and Michigan, reading to elementary students, ESL and GED
classes for Hispanic, European and Asian students, and teacher training for
career-changing professionals and for professionals working with diverse
populations. Besides the classroom setting, Stella also recorded textbooks
for blind students, translated for Crossroads Safe House, was a Program
Liaison for Read Aloud program, worked with Spanish-speaking clients at
the Homeless Prevention program, and was a Peace Corps volunteer in
the Honduras working with women teachers to improve teaching standards
and methods. She was also a reader for Sunday services at St. Luke’s
Episcopal Church in Fort Collins.
Stella was a longtime member of the NEA. She was a vice president of her
chapter of Zonta International and in 1998 she received the Volunteer of
the Year award from Front Range Community College. She was also
recognized as a Woman of the Year by the YWCA.
Stella loved to travel. She made many trips to New Mexico and Mexico to
visit family and friends. She also traveled in Central America, South
America, Spain, Portugal, Germany, England, the Mediterranean, Egypt,
India, and Thailand. Family treasures include pictures of Stella riding a
camel in Egypt and an elephant in Thailand! When at home, Stella
especially loved to read, eat chocolate, exercise, shop for shoes, dog-sit,
and read some more.
Stella is pre-deceased by her parents, her brother USAF Col. Anthony
Martinez, her sister Helen Luehmann, and her favorite dog, Lizzie.
Surviving family members are daughters Anita O’Rourke and husband
Richard Rock, Lesli Zielke and husband David, Barbara Wagner and
husband Bob, grandchildren Kelly Lorenz, Nick Wagner, and Ben Wagner
and fiancé Kara Spane, and many grand-animals.
Memorial services will be scheduled at a later date. Donations may be
made to the American Cancer Society (Stella was a survivor) or the charity
of your choice.
