Victoria Martinez

Victoria Martinez of Ashburn, Virginia, passed away peacefully on August 25th, 2026, at her daughter’s home in Goochland, Virginia. She was 96 years old.

Victoria or “Nena,” as she was affectionately known, was born on April 6th, 1930, in the small town of Nueva Paz, Cuba. She was the daughter of the late Telesforo Yreno Pagés Hector and Antolina Romero Jorge. She was their second child and grew up alongside her three siblings.

Nena was preceded in death by her beloved husband of nearly seventy years, Francisco "Chini" Martinez, and her brothers, Félix Pagés and Luis Pagés. She is survived by her sister, Dora Nunez and her husband Rolando; her son, Francisco Martinez Jr. and his wife Roxana; her daughter, Mercedes Thompson and her husband Francis; her grandchildren Christina Thompson, Alexandria Thompson, Maria Stevener and her husband Andrew, Adrian Martinez, and Christian Martinez and his wife Holly; her great-grandchildren Madalynn Thompson, Noah, Parker, and Mercedes Stevener, and Lily Martinez; as well as many nieces and nephews whom she cherished.

Victoria met the love of her life, Francisco, at a wedding celebration in 1950. They were married on November 4th, 1951, at Nuestra Señora de la Paz in Nueva Paz, Cuba. They welcomed their son, Francisco, and four years later, their daughter, Mercedes.

In 1965, seeking freedom and opportunity for their family, Victoria and Francisco made the brave decision to leave Communist Cuba. Their journey took them first to Mexico City to obtain residency, then to Miami, before permanently settling in Arlington, Virginia.

Having never worked outside the home before arriving in the United States, Nena embraced every opportunity to support her family. She took on odd jobs—including cleaning a local beauty shop after hours and on weekends—to help make ends meet. She ultimately built a career with AT&T, retiring as a telephone repair technician. Through hard work and selflessness, she and her husband successfully put both of their children through college debt-free.

Nena’s devotion to her family was matched only by her deep Catholic faith and her special devotion to Saint Barbara, whose statue accompanied her all the way from Cuba. A woman of boundless generosity, she welcomed newcomers to the U.S. with open arms, cared for her younger sister like a mother, and lovingly tended to her extended family and in-laws. She also took great comfort in being at the bedside of her two brothers as they transitioned into Heaven.

Her home was filled with warmth, faith, and traditional Cuban heritage. When the family first arrived in the United States, Nena hosted their very first Noche Buena celebration, cementing a cherished annual Christmas Eve tradition that lasted for decades—and one that her family proudly continues.

To know Nena was to be fed and cared for by her. Her legendary congrí was requested at every gathering, and her homemade mariquitas (plantain chips) were so adored that she secretly hid extra bags so her visiting grandchildren and grand-nieces and nephews could take them home.

She was a talented seamstress and crafter who sewed clothes and elaborate Halloween costumes for her children and grandchildren, while gifting countless hand-crocheted doilies and wraps to friends. She loved hosting, playing dominoes with family, taking pictures of her thriving garden every morning, and never missing her daily morning Cuban coffee. Unfailingly social, Nena befriended everyone she met—knowing the staff at her local stores by name—and was called "hermanasa" (greatest sister ever) by her brother Luis.

While she always yearned for Cuba to return to freedom, Nena was profoundly grateful for the life, faith, and family she built in the United States.

Services & Memorial Information

A graveside service officiated by Father O’Donohue of St.Ambrose Catholic Church will be held on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 at 12:00 PM at Pleasant Valley Memorial Park in Anannandale, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made in Victoria's memory to Thrifty Sisters. All proceeds directly support Saint Francis – Manchester, an assisted living community dedicated to providing care for seniors in Richmond who lack the financial means for affordable care.

• By Mail / In Person:Thrifty Sisters8911 Patterson AveRichmond, VA 23229

• Online:Donations may also be made online directly via the Saint Francis – Manchester Website.  Saint Francis-Manchester