Geraldine A. (Gomes) Martinez

Geraldine Martinez, daughter of the late Eva (Silva) Lopes and Frank Gomes was born on July 27, 1947 in Acushnet, Massachusetts. Geraldine passed away suddenly at her home in Roxbury, MA on Tuesday, September 15, 2020.

After graduating from New Bedford High School in 1965, she moved to Boston where she met and later married Barry Martinez in 1969. To their union, one daughter, Candida, was born. Geraldine began to call her Choo-Choo, a nickname which stuck with her throughout her childhood. Gerri’s employment career was diverse.  She worked for the Gillette Company in the late 70’s, where she met several lifelong friends.  Her great love of children also led her to work for the Home for Little Wonderers and as a counselor on Thompson Island. She later attended Leslie College in the 80’s where she graduated with a BA Degree in Culinary Arts.

Gerri loved to cook and listen to 50’s and 60’s music. If there was a party with food and music, Gerri was there. And if Smokey Robinson was playing, she would be the last to leave. She loved hanging out with family and friends and had many stories to reminisce about. But there were two of her most enjoyable and memorable times that she would always talk about for hours. One was the adventurous road trip she took from Boston to Georgia with her best friends Berthia and Mozil, to pick up a third best friend Bertha, and onward to Alabama to visit yet another friend. The other was her trip to North Carolina, as any first time proud grandma would do, with her daughter and first grandchild, Kaydence, to show her off to her close friend, Loyce. These trips were her favorite topics for discussion.  .

Like most grandmothers, she spoiled her grandchildren: taking them out to eat and buying them whatever they wanted from the stores. When asked by Candida to stop spending so much on the children and save her money, Gerri would reply, “Don’t tell me what to do, those are my grandchildren!” She attended all school and sports events that they were involved in such as: school plays, band recitals, swimming, softball, baseball, and her favorite pop warner football where she would be the loudest one cheering for Keith Jr. as he would be running into the end zone. Her grandchildren were the “apples of her eyes”.

She was preceded in death by her Brothers, David and Joseph Gomes.

Geraldine leaves to cherish precious memories, her Daughter, Candida and Son-in-Law, Keith McCarthy Sr.; two grandchildren, Kaydence and Keith McCarthy Jr.;  two Sisters, Janice Arruda and Florence Blake; as well as a host of Nieces, Nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.

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