Renee Louise Martinez

Renee Louise Denison Martinez
October 30, 1943 – May 4, 2023

    Renee Martinez, age 79, of Sterling, Utah, passed away peacefully in Centerfield, on May 4, 2023, with family by her side. Renee was born on October 30, 1943 in Baldwin Park, California to Elliot Leon and Mary Lucille Rooks Denison. 
    Following high school, she was among the first women accepted to the Animal Husbandry Program at Cal Poly Tech Pomona in 1961. She graduated at the top of her class in June 1965 with a bachelor's degree in Animal Science. However, she could not work in her chosen field as a woman. That same month, Renee moved to Cedar City, enrolling at Southern Utah University (then called College of Southern Utah), obtaining her teacher's credentials for Utah with a bachelor's in education by February 1966. She taught elementary school for much of her career in different areas of Nevada. Then she taught in the prison system for her final working years in Utah.
    Renee was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all her life. She was passionate about sharing her love of the gospel and cherished the opportunity through her many callings, including her Humanitarian Mission for the LDS Church in the Manti area, where she could blend her love and skill of making blankets with her dedication to serving others.
    She enjoyed many hobbies, including quilting, sewing, gardening, and raising animals. She centered her life around the love of her Savior, Jesus Christ, her family, and her service to others. We suspect she loved the animals the most.
    Renee is survived by her husband, Ernesto "Ernie" Martinez; daughters: Megan Martinez, Wendy (Greg) Martinez-Hjelstrom, Polly Martinez, and Brenda Barnes; stepchildren: Kurt (Marilyn) Martinez, Renee Rowe, Michael Leslie, and Ruth Martinez; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters: Melinda Bowen and Carolyn Fuimaono.
   Renee is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Bonnie Denison Alvarado; brother, Thomas Elliott Denison; step-daughter, Deborah Fimbres; brothers-in-law: Michael Bowen, Filipo Fuimaono, Arturo Martinez, and James Leroy Martinez.
    Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. in the Sterling Ward Chapel. There will be no public viewing.  Interment will be in the Sterling Cemetery. Online guestbook and live streaming of the services at www.maglebymortuary.com below Renee’s obituary.  Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.
    In lieu of flowers (due to severe allergies), the family requests stories/memories of Renee or donations made in her honor to her favorite charities: Manti Humanitarian Center (Manti, UT), New Horizon Crisis Center (Richfield, UT), or Daughters of Utah Pioneers.