Arlene Martinez

Arlene Martinez

August 26, 1951-August 8, 2022

Arlene Martinez was born Arlene Kaye Johnson on August 26, 1951, the first of four children to Lyle and Joan Johnson, in San Fernando, California. She passed away August 8, 2022, after a brief illness, in Lancaster, California. Arlene grew up in the San Fernando Valley with two brothers, Gary and Jeffrey, and one sister, Melinda (aka Mindy).  

She married Keith Monte, and had her first son, Douglas, in February 1970. She worked as a postal carrier for several years, then met her second husband, George Merrick, in 1978. They moved to Pennsylvania, then Brookings, Oregon, then back to the San Fernando Valley.

She was always interested in the medical field, and began working at Northridge Hospital, first in Personnel, then as a Medical Transcriber, specializing in Radiology and Pathology. Having a good mind for details, Arlene was always an avid reader and loved words, so memorizing all those Latin medical terms came naturally to her. She made a successful living at this for many years.

In the late 1980’she had two children with her third husband, Max Martinez: Omar in May 1987, and Bonnie in August 1988. The family moved to Layton, Utah in 1994, where Arlene said she really enjoyed all 4 seasons, and became active in veterans ’causes, joining the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) organizations. Omar and Bonnie enjoyed their schools and friends, camping, etc. Tragically, Bonnie died of an unknown virus in January 2000. Arlene and Max divorced in 2008 but remained friends.

Arlene moved back to California, and briefly stayed with her son Doug and his wife Jean in Palmdale. She then moved to Soledad, and worked at the state prison for 2 years, in the medical appointment office. The family enjoyed visiting her there, taking day trips to Monterey, Salinas, and nearby missions.

She then bought a house in Lancaster and transferred to the State of California’s Department of Industrial Relations in downtown Los Angeles, where she worked 8 years before retiring in May 2021. Sadly, her boyfriend, Steve, passed away in September 2021.  Both were passionate about helping veterans and devoted much time to VFW and American Legion activities.  

Over the years, Arlene loved reading (mostly science fiction/fantasy, especially Andre Norton), and was quite talented in several crafty endeavors; art, sewing, crochet, macrame, decorative wreaths and birdhouses. Everyone in the family is still enjoying her many crafts which she proudly displayed in various places. Arlene even sewed her own wedding dress one year and taught her sister to crochet.

Arlene will dearly missed by her whole family and all who knew her. We will especially miss her infectious laugh and sparkling personality at birthdays and holiday gatherings. Arlene is predeceased by her father Lyle Johnson, daughter Bonnie, and survived by her mother Joan Johnson; 2 sons, Douglas Monte (Jean) and Omar Martinez; brothers Gary Johnson (Mary Ann) and Jeffrey Johnson; sister Melinda Borisenko (Daryl); and former husbands Keith Monte and Max Martinez.

Graveside services will take place Saturday, September 24, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Lindquist Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Rd. Layton, Utah. Celebration of Arlene’s life will be held at American Legion post 87, 128 So. Main Layton, Utah following services.

Condolences, at martinmax4057@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers donation to the American Legion post 87,128 So. Main in memory of Arlene.