Melissa Sue Martinez

Melissa Sue Martinez, 54, went to be with her Heavenly Father on July 6, 2023 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lafayette, Colorado, surrounded by her loving husband and daughter. Melissa was born in New Orleans, LA on July 9, 1968. She moved from Louisiana to Colorado 9 years ago with her family and resided in Aurora, CO at the time of her death.

Melissa was a devoted wife and Meme. She loved her dogs more than anyone could ever imagine, all things girly and live music. She never missed a concert.

She always said that “family was not defined by the blood in your veins, but instead, by the love in your heart.” Therefore, Melissa had a very large family that she handpicked to love and support and it was evident by the ones whom have been touched by her presence and personality. To know Melissa was to love her. Melissa will be greatly missed by all who knew her, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends, but her legacy will live on through her family and her little mini me, her grand-daughter, Amelia Baker.

Melissa is preceded in death by her mother, Elisabeth Sharff; her daddy, Kenneth Hawthorne; her four-legged baby, Bella; and chosen son-in-law, Clint Bison.

Those left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of 14 years, Jair Martinez; daughter, Kaleigh Baker and husband Jason; sons, John Walker and wife Hui; Randy Walker; Tristan Jarith; and chosen daughter, Amanda Bison. Father, Dennis Sharff and wife Debbie. Sister, Robin Shaffer and husband Donald. Brother, Neal Sharff. “Little sister” Jennifer Keys. And her four-legged babies, Zeus, Pelusa, and Penelope.

Melissa was a Meme to Amelia Baker, Jayce Walker, Jayden Jackson, Caleb Walker, Hunter Walker, Kennedy Walker, Emmett Walker, Skylar Bison, Joanna Bison and the newest light of her life, Isabel Walker.

A service will be held Sunday, July 16, 2023  at 11:00 am at Horan & McConaty Funeral Service and Cremation in Aurora, Colorado. Officiating her service will be her daughter, Kaleigh Baker. A gathering of family and friends will begin from 11:00am with services beginning at 1:00pm.

Honoring Melissa as pallbearers are her sons; Randy Walker and John Walker; son-in-law, Jason Baker; and Scott Keys.