Berta Martinez

Berta Martinez was born on March 11, 1963, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Jose Balbino Martinez Flores and Berta Margarita Martinez Castro. Raised by devoted and loving parents, Berta often spoke of the profound values they instilled in her. Her father taught her that trust must be given in order to be received, and her mother taught her the power and seriousness of asking God life-changing questions—because when He answers, it's our responsibility to listen and act. 

Berta grew up surrounded by family, including her two older sisters, Delia and Lourdes, and her older brother, Miguel. She was raised in the Catholic faith and attended Academia Santa Monica and Colegio Puertorriqueño de Niñas. She grew up learning and practicing many gospel and bible principles of Jesus Christ. An outstanding student, Berta was a member of the National Honor Society and graduated as valedictorian of her class. 

At the age of 21, Berta was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on July 11, 1984. From that day forward, she remained true to her testimony and was valiant in her faith in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. In her mid-twenties, Berta was the first Puerto Rican woman to serve a voluntary, full-time, teaching mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the island of Puerto Rico. 

Berta pursued higher education with determination and excellence. She began her studies in chemical engineering at Cornell University, later returning to Puerto Rico where she worked full-time while attending Inter-American University in the evenings. She earned her B.A. in Business Administration and Humanities, graduated cum laude, and made the Dean's List. She also pursued graduate studies in education. 

A woman of many talents and passions, Berta was an avid reader with a deep well of knowledge on countless topics. She loved to sing, dance, act, write poetry and songs, and tell stories. She worked as a librarian and was employed at the LDS Church's Caribbean Regional Office in Puerto Rico. Prior to her employment with the LDS Church's Caribbean Regional Office, she was a valued and successful elementary school teacher at the Antilles Elementary School System in Fort Buchanan, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. When her mother fell ill, Berta assisted in her full-time care until her mother passed away. 

After her mother's passing, Berta and her father moved to Dallas, Texas, where she began teaching kindergarten. Her talents as an educator were recognized when she was invited to assist in the AVID program, supporting students to reach their academic goals and pursue college. She was deeply committed to making a positive impact in the world. 

Berta had a remarkable ability to make friends wherever she went—and even across the globe. She was a beloved member of the Richard Armitage fandom, where she forged deep and lasting friendships online. She had a passion for film, fashion, and collecting— especially collecting fashion Barbies and Funko POP! figurines. Fluent in Spanish and English, she also enjoyed studying Portuguese, Italian, and Latin.

In May 2021, Berta moved to St. George, Utah. Though she faced significant health challenges, she met them with faith, strength, and a fighting spirit. She often said, "I am not giving up!" Her writings reflects her deep spiritual conviction. She once wrote: 

"The uncertainty of my future tortures me. However, my testimony of Jesus Christ's ministry and sacrifice for us remains strong. He has given me confident humility, the desire to obey Him, and an eternal vision of who I am and who I can be. He has given me the gifts of a strong faith, perseverance, intelligence, and enough wisdom to learn from my mistakes. Most importantly, I know I am His beloved daughter." 

Berta passed away peacefully on October 8, 2025. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

A memorial service will be held in her honor on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2434 E. Riverside Dr., St. George, Utah 84790.