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Ricarda A. Martinez of Delhi, entered into eternal rest on Friday, June 12, 2026. She was the daughter of Jovita and Macario Aguirre of El Centro, CA. Ricarda recently celebrated her 99th birthday, becoming the longest living member of her family. Ricarda was born into life by mid-wife and her mother on an Indian Reservation named Fort Yuma. There she would attend her earlier school years. Her father leased and farmed land on the reservation. Eventually he would move his family to El Centro where Ricarda attended school through the 8th grade level. The family worked the agricultural area, which produced crops of cotton, fruits, and vegetables. In time, she would meet a young man driving tractor in the fields which would become her future husband, Antonio D. Martinez. After a five-year period, Tony as he was called would ask for her hand in marriage by his father, Sylvestre Martinez, at the home of her family. The young couple would recite their nuptials at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. On June 18, 1950, the couple left the El Centro area and traveled north to settle in Turlock after buying their first home. After a few years, they purchased a small farm in Delhi where they raised their family. Ricarda enjoyed growing flowers, especially roses in her yard. She would decorate the living room table with pretty roses. Eventually she would seek interest outside of her traditional role of homemaker, by working at a small almond ranch sorting them at harvest time. She eventually become employed at Tri-Valley Growers of Turlock during the peach season, in time she went on to become a floor leader, which she was very proud of and continued to work for years to come. Antonio and Ricarda were married for 66 years before he passed in 2016. Ricarda was preceded in death by her son, Tony Martinez; her parents, Jovita and Macario Aguirre; her sisters, Ruth (Cuca) Calvillo, Toña Gaxiola; and her brothers, Martin Barraza, Alex Aguirre, Steven Aguirre, Joe Aguirre, and Luis Aguirre. She is survived by her children, Lucy Engel (Pete), Liz Cuyno (Peter), Rose Wheeler (Chuck), Daniel Martinez, and Sally Anderson; her seven grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren.

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Ricarda Aguirre Martinez

April 3, 1927 - June 12, 2026