With our hearts full of love and cherished memories, we announce the passing of Martha Catalina Quiroz Pulido, born on April 11, 1956, in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, to Francisco Villarruel Pulido (Chico) and Maria Guadalupe Gutierrez (Lupe). Martha, succumbed to heart failure and she passed away peacefully at her home in Fillmore, California, surrounded by her loving family members, on March 4, 2025, at the young age of 68 years.
She was preceded in death by her mama Lupe, her papa Chico and two brothers Juan Carlos and Juan Antonio.
Today Martha is survived by her brothers Francisco Javier, Rafael, and her sister Lupe Medina.
As well as her children Alberto, Dianna, Daniel and Erik and her husband Juventino. Martha’s heart filled with pride and love when she spoke of her grandchildren who were always near. From Dianna and Fabian Robles there are Noah and Gianna and from Erik and Mayra Quiroz there are Ezra, Catalina, and Esaias.
As a child her life was always surrounded by a loving family, early in life while living in Tijuana our paternal grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins filled her world. In October of 1963 the family immigrated, moved to and made Fillmore, California home. She attended Fillmore schools and graduated from Fillmore High School in 1975.
Martha, being the eldest daughter, was tasked with the responsibility of her brothers and sister while both Mother and Father went off to work. She would cook and keep her siblings in line.
After high school she met and married Juventino Quiroz and they had four wonderful children, Alberto, Dianna, Danny and Erik.
Martha’s love of life was contagious, she loved listening to all kinds of music, though she was brought up listening to Rancheras and Boleros, and some Nortenas, she loved to dance to Classic Rock such as Santana, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and the Temptations.
Martha made and maintained friendships for life and will be missed by many in the community. She was a caring and giving soul, always willing to help those in need.
Martha worked many jobs and retired from the Fillmore School District. There she made many friends from both staff, parents and her favorite, the students. Her love and joy for life will be missed by her many friends and all who came in contact with her.
After her retirement she had the opportunity to travel and joined her friend Marcia on a few trips. She also traveled to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho to spend time with her older brother Francisco and his wife Angie. While there she enjoyed cruising along the lakes, rivers and following narrow mountain roads and blueberry picking, with her eye on the ready for the local bears. She was also very content searching for treasures at antique stores.
Martha was interested in learning about our family history and through the years her travels took her back to Mexico. She would visit maternal family members in Nayarit and paternal members in Jalisco and most recently in Chihuahua. The warmth of her loving smile was felt by all those family members she made her mission to meet. Martha’s greatest joy was being a grandmother, she spent her retirement years spending quality time with her beloved grandchildren and teaching them compassion.
Martha’s love is etched in our hearts and her smile will live within each of us. You will be our guiding star until we reunite in Christ.
Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto!
Her family wishes to thank the care and support she received from the hospice team.
And we wish that you take a moment to reconnect with family or friends who have a special place in your heart.