Pearl Marie Wagner Martin

Pearl Marie Wagner Martin January 1, 1924 - March 15, 2017 It is with great sadness that we announce that our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Pearl Marie Wagner Martin, 93, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Mesilla Valley Hospice La Posada in Las Cruces on March 15, 2017. Pearl was born on January 1st, 1924 just as the bells were ringing in the new year in Ft. Lupton, CO. Her parents were Charles Jasper Wagner, a Colorado farmer who was orphaned at age 13 and Frances Pekar who immigrated to the Unites States from Germany when she was just 12 years old. She grew up in Pueblo, Colorado and it was there that she met James Pleasant (J.P.) Martin who was being formally discharged from the army following WWII. They were married on November 6th, 1945 in Artesia NM. They later moved to Hobbs, NM. Pearl remained in Hobbs for many years following J.P.s death in 1979, caring for friends and neighbors, before moving to Las Cruces in 1992. It could not have been easy growing up during the depression in a family with 9 children but her memories were of a family filled with love and laughter. Pearl was a very spiritual and faithful believer in Christ. She led an uncomplicated life and inspired others with her kind and positive words and her innate peacefulness. She loved being outdoors enjoying all nature has to offer and was still taking long walks of five to six miles a day well into her 80's. She was an avid gardener, enjoyed watching tennis, working on jigsaw puzzles, and time spent with her family. She lived a life of contentment and often said "This is the best time of my life!" She is survived by her two daughters Charlene (Jack) Curry of Las Cruces and Alyce Roseann Martin of Albuquerque. Pearl was the proud grandmother to grandsons Jeffrey Martin (Ashleigh) Curry, Brian Scot (Lauren) Curry of Las Cruces and Cullen Boardman of Albuquerque; and she adored her great grandchildren Kaya-Bleu Johanna Curry, Benjamin Martin Curry, Jack Milo Curry and Samantha Maria Curry all of Las Cruces. She is also survived by one sister, Frances Charlotte McArthur of Roseburg, OR and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of thirty-two years James P. Martin, sisters Dolly Barber, Rosemary Diel, Pat Hardrick and Alice Wagner, brothers Tony, John and Tommy Wagner. The family extends its deepest gratitude to Mesilla Valley Hospice and the supportive staff at La Posada in Las Cruces, NM for their wonderful care and compassion. Each and every person there treated her with such love and tenderness. At her request cremation has taken place and a celebration of her life will be held by her family and close friends at a later date. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Mesilla Valley Hospice, 299 Montana Ave., Las Cruces, NM. PDF Printable Version