Lorraine Eileen Romero Martinez passed away after suffering a stroke on Nov. 21, 2024. She was born on Sept. 17, 1952, to Estefanita (Fannie) Romero and Dick Whitney.
Lorraine had an ideal childhood in 1950s and ‘60s in Pagosa Springs surrounded by her large extended family and her childhood friends, most notably her cousin Fermi and the daughters of Joe and Faye Cordova, whom she adopted as sisters early on. The many stories we’ve all heard and the many pictures we’ve all viewed on Lorraine’s Facebook pages attest to her fun-filled childhood and school-year friendships surrounded by people who loved her dearly. With these cousins and friends, she played in what was the only swimming pool in town at what is now known as The Healing Waters Spa. She ate ice cream at Jackisch Drug Store when it still had the ice cream counter and bought penny candy from the grocery store owned by the Coles. It was another Pagosa, in another time, one where she could walk down the street by herself as a 7-year-old and spend all day playing outdoors without a care in the world.
Lorraine’s first job was with the Giordanos at The Spa, where she cleaned rooms and the bath house with Erlinda Gonzales.
This was followed by her work as a sales clerk at Goodman’s Department Store and at Montoya’s Clothing Store. Together with her husband, Frank, she cared for her grandpa Elias and her mother, Fannie, until the end of their lives.
Lorraine loved being with family and friends. Together with friends and/or family, she and Frank visited Nashville and Memphis, took an Alaskan cruise, camped in Mexico, and visited national monuments and parks. She loved camping, fishing of every kind, hauling wood from the forest and riding their Razor, always with a camera in hand.
Everywhere she went, Lorraine took beautiful pictures which she kept in multiple photo albums — real and digital — and frequently posted in colorful digital frames on Facebook or made into videos with accompanying background music. We were all her “hita” or “hito,” and she went out of her way to make everyone feel as if they truly belonged; afterward, she told us the story in pictures.
Lorraine is survived by her husband, Frank Martinez; brothers, Robert Romero (Loretta) and Norman Ottoway Jr.; and numerous cousins. A Mass of Christian Burial was held for Lorraine at Pope John Paul II Catholic Church on Saturday, Nov. 29, followed by interment at Hilltop Cemetery. May she rest in peace.
