Eugenia “Celi or Celita” Celia Santa Cruz de Oviedo

Eugenia Celia Santa Cruz de Oviedo passed on January 20, 2021 at the age of 88 in Fort Worth, Texas.

She was born to Hilario Martinez, Sr. and Ramona (Perez) Martinez on November 28, 1932 in Havana, Cuba.  At the age of 27, she married Humberto Santa Cruz de Oviedo. They both fled the island of Cuba in 1959 for the United States where they would spend the rest of their years together.

Celia, better known as “Celi” or “Celita” by many of her loved ones, worked as a seamstress for decades, both professionally and privately.  Her primary profession and what she was best known for was being the most loving mother and grandmother anyone could ask for.  The memories of her standing over a stove preparing the family’s favorite dishes, sewing last minute dresses for a special event, or sneaking apple pie for breakfast will forever live on.  She was the heartbeat of the Santa Cruz family.

As the matriarch of the family, she led her family with love, compassion, strength, and affection.  She lived through life without fear and maintained an immoveable presence that filled any room she was in.  She had a glare that could bring the strongest man to their knees, but a smile so bright it could illuminate the darkest corners of the world.

Celia was preceded in death by her husband, Humberto Santa Cruz de Oviedo; her parents, Hilario Martinez, Sr. and Ramona (Perez) Martinez and her brothers, Hilario Martinez, Jr. and Jesus Martinez.

Celia is survived by her daughter, Carol Santa Cruz de Oviedo; her son Alexander Santa Cruz de Oviedo and wife, Clelia.  She was also blessed with three grandchildren, Briana Monet Baugh, Brian Santa Cruz de Oviedo and wife, Celina, Gabriel Santa Cruz de Oviedo and wife, Melissa;  four great grandchildren, Christopher, Ariana, Ellie and Gwen Santa Cruz de Oviedo.