Martha Irma Tapia (Velez) passed away peacefully on August 7, 2019. She was 62.
Martha was born on October 15, 1956 in Watsonville, CA to Rafael and Arcelia Velez. Wife to Bonifacio Tapia and loving mother to Jaclyn Hernandez and Carlos Tapia, and doting grandmother to Micaela and Eliana Hernandez, dog-grandmother to Sarah and Brembo. Martha loved her two granddaughters and lit up whenever they were around. Sleepovers were their favorite thing to do together while watching the newest episodes of whatever their favorite show was.
Martha loved having her whole family together for holidays and barbecues. Martha was a friend to everyone and everywhere she went she knew someone, and if she didn’t know you it wasn’t long before you were friends with her. She had the nickname “Conchita”. Martha loved to bake and many people knew her from her time at Freedom Bakery. She was known for sporting her black Ray-Bans, being generous even if she was down to her last dollar. Whenever she could she love to hit the casino’s to gamble, she loved to dance and never met a low-rider she didn’t like. One her favorite things to do was to volunteer for Toys-for-Tots, she was a volunteer for 37 years.
Martha was preceded in death by her parents Rafael and Arcelia Velez, great-grandparents Jose Maria and Isidora Bouche and her very dear friend Jessica Garcia. She is survived by husband Bonifacio, daughter Jaclyn (Juan Carlos) Hernandez, son Carlos Tapia, grand-daughters Micaela and Eliana Hernandez. Sisters Lupe Albo and Dora (Tony) Lopez and brother Victor (Nancy) Velez. 10 nieces and nephews and their spouses, and 5 great nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Dr. Bahktar, Dr. O’Grady, Capitola Satellite Dialysis, Hearts and Hands, Hospice of Santa Cruz, VNA of Sutter.
A visitation will be held at Mehl’s Colonial Chapel on Thursday August 15, 2019 from 5-9pm with a Rosary at 7pm. A mass will be held at Saint Patrick’s Church on Friday August 16, 2019 at 10 am. Burial will be held at a later date.
