Tomasa Martinez

With deep love and heartfelt sorrow, we announce the passing of Tomasa or as she preferred to be called, “Tomasita” Martinez Sanchez, 88, of Ellenville, NY who passed away peacefully on November 26, 2025. Born March 7th 1937, in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, Tomasita grew up surrounded by the values that shaped the rest of her life—family, faith, hard work, and compassion. She carried those values proudly and shared them generously with everyone around her. Tomasita will always be remembered for her kindness, sense of humor and generosity. She took immense pride in her work as a seamstress for Playtex in New York City, where her skill, attention to detail and steady hands helped shape garments worn by women across the country. She found joy in cooking traditional Puerto Rican dishes like pasteles, alcapurrias and pastelillos and sharing them with her family and friends, neighbors at Glusker Gardens, and doctors and support staff at Crystal Run Healthcare. She also loved music, dancing salsa, gatherings and the memories created in those moments will continue to bring comfort to all who loved her. Family was at the center of everything for Tomasita. Her hope was that forgiveness would guide her family back together. She is survived by her devoted and committed husband, her first love, Claudio, whom she grew up with. After many years apart, they found their way back to one another later in life, discovering that their love had never faded. Claudio was a constant source of strength for her, remaining by her side through her final days. She was lovingly cared for by her daughter, Carolyn Jorge, son-in-law, Edgardo Jorge, and granddaughter, Margarette Schaut, who stood by her side with tenderness and unwavering devotion until the very end of her life. Their presence brought her comfort, peace and love during her final years. She found great friendship, joy and comfort from numerous members of her congregation and had a special bond with, Rafael and Becky Benitez, who were present throughout her late life. She is also survived by her sons, Noel Castro, Bany (Marceline) Castro and David (Kelly) Castro. Her grandchildren, Jocelyn Castro (Michael), Celines Jorge-Gecewicz (Greg), Edgardo G. Jorge (Alexis), David Castro Jr., Michelle (Doug) Youmans, Jason Castro (Alexa), Mikey Castro, Sabrina Castro, Margarette Schaut (Michael), Anthony Castro, David Castro, Sonia Irizarry, Ariana Castro, Leon Castro, and Isabella Noelia Castro. Many great-grandchildren including, Matthew, Savanna, Bryant, Brigid, Alexandra, Camila, Josiah, Jahlio, Nicholas, Juleus, Jaline, Myah, Ava, Jaden, Star, Ivy, Eve, Grayson Anthony, Landon Jay, Anthony Kenneth and Camden Richard. Her large and loving family will carry her legacy forward with pride. The family also wishes to recognize her devoted caregivers at, Putnam Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, whose compassion, patience, and tender care brought her comfort, dignity, and peace in her final days. She is preceded in death by her parents, Juan Sanchez and Maria Sanchez Carcano, her aunt that lovingly raised her and her twin sister- Felicita Sanchez (Abuela Fela), her stepsisters- Milagros and Vicenta Caballero, her favorite and closest first cousin- Rafael “Rafi” Sanchez Melendez, her brother-in-law Pedro “Pedrito” Martinez, and her grandson, Anthony B. Castro. A public visitation service will be held on Friday, December 5th from 5:00-8:00 PM at Martinez-Morse Funeral Home located at 33 Railroad Avenue Middletown, NY 10940, where family and friends will gather to honor a beautiful life and celebrate the lasting legacy she leaves behind. Internment will be December 6th, 2025 at 1PM at Hillside Cemetery, located at 50 Mulberry Street Middletown, NY 10940. The family deeply appreciates all expressions of sympathy. Donations may be made in Tomasita’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. May the accepting, forgiving and loving nature of Tomasita continue to live on in all of us.

Tomasa Martinez

March 7, 1937 - November 26, 2025