Martha Sylvia Conklin Montez passed away on May 16, 2020 at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Hermiston at the age of 70.
She was born on Dec. 23, 1949 in San Felipe, B.C. Mexico to Carlos and Carolina Conklin.
Martha moved to the U.S. at the age of 25, where she resided in California with her four oldest children (Cesar, Minerva, Diana, and Carlos) for a short period of time. She later moved to Plymouth, Wash. before settling in Hermiston in 1981, where she married Hector Montez Sr. They had two more children, Hector Jr. and Lawrence.
For many years she worked at UNI in Boardman and Bud-Rich in Hermiston. Later in life she had her own cleaning business, M&M Janitorial Cleaning Services.
Martha was a member of the Hermiston Eagles. She was a kind spirit who loved others more than herself. She had a smile that lit up a room and an infectious laugh that was like no other! Her hugs made you feel safe and loved instantly. Her hobbies included cooking, cleaning, taking care of others, traveling (especially back to Mexico to visit loved ones) and her biggest love, Bingo with her best friends, Oralia and Justina. She enjoyed being with her friends and family more than anything else in the world. She was a supporter, mother, sister, friend, comedian, cook, cleaner, and many other things, but she wore the title of “Grandma” best.
She is survived by her sons, Cesar (Claudia) Flores, San Felipe, B.C. Mexico, Carlos (Rosa) Flores, Salem, Hector Montez Jr., Hermiston and Lawrence Montez, Hermiston; daughters, Minerva (Marcelino) Flores, Hermiston and Diana (Saul) Castro, Stanfield; brothers, Carlos Conklin, Enrique Conklin, Irineo (Carla) Conklin and Arturo Conklin, all of San Felipe, B.C. Mexico; sisters,
Erika Conklin, Mexicali, B.C. Mexico, Ramona Conklin, Happy Valley, Mayra (Hector) Medelez, Hermiston, and Liliana Conklin, Mexicali, B.C. Mexico; grandchildren, Ashlee, CJ, Chancelor, Marla, Genesis, Brissa, Yanahi, Nohemy, Taylor, Emilio, Candice, Brandon, Isaiah, Steven, Diego, Efrain, Victoria, Ariam, Damian, Chloe, Emma and Kain; great grandchildren, Kitana, TJ and Jayden; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Hector Montez Sr.; parents, Carlos and Carolina Conklin; brother, Ruben Conklin; and a sister, Maria Elena Conklin.
At this time, there will be no services because of current state and federal restrictions. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Martha’s memory to Burns Mortuary in Hermiston to help with expenses.
Please share memories of Martha with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
