Shirley Anne Martinez

Shirley Anne Martinez (Mom and Nana) 89, departed this life to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 20, 2023, while at home with her daughter and family in Herndon, VA. She battled dementia for many years. She was born in Lancaster, PA; the daughter of the late James W. Hurdle, Sr. and Helen E. Hurdle (Stewart). She was preceded in death by her late husband, Santos Epifanio Martinez, to whom she was married for about 24 years until his passing in 2005. During Shirley’s childhood years, she was raised by her beloved Nanny, Great Grandmother Elmira Hallinger, and in her later years she was raised by her Uncle Raymond and Aunt Lucy Stewart in Atglen, PA. Shirley attended J.P. McCaskey High School. She served briefly in the US Air Force as a WAF (Women in the Air Force). She received an Honorable Discharge in 1953 as a newlywed. She attended occasional services at her father’s Church, Bright Side Baptist, and later accepted the Lord into her life. She retired from RCA/Burle Industries after 40 years of service. Shirley devoted her life to loving and caring for her family and others, touching the lives of so many people. She always said, “You never talk about what you do for others.” What a beautiful soul. She truly gave unselfishly of her love, compassion, and commitment. Sundays and holidays were a joyous occasion in her home on Clermont Avenue. Children, grand, great-grand, and friends gathered together and enjoyed her delicious food. If you stopped by to say hello, you probably had a plate waiting for you. Holidays were the best over the years. It was a family reunion of the York and Martinez families and friends. Shirley’s hobbies included cooking, decorating, reading, shopping and listening to music. She also enjoyed going to yard sales. She had a flair for buying amazing items and gained the name of ‘Yard Sale Queen’. She also enjoyed gatherings with friends in Lancaster, Coatesville, and Parkesburg. Shirley was a true dog lover; with ongoing dogs, while living on Clermont Avenue. Betty, her late dog of 13 years was her love and lived with her in Virginia until her final rest in 2018. Shirley leaves to cherish her memory her Stepmother, Mary M. Hurdle, three sons, Jeffrey York, Medford York (Lucille) and Monte York, Sr., a daughter, Angela Chinn (Paul), several grandchildren: Dana York, Medford York, Jr., Jonisha Cotton, Jerry Cotton, Daniel Gonzalez, Lachrisa Culbreth, Monte York, Jr., Nicole York, Stacy York, Elijah York, Noah York, Jayda York, Nevaeh York, Michele Angelique Lucas and Brittany Chinn, many great and great-great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. Shirley was preceded in death by her brother, James W. Hurdle, Jr., a granddaughter, Monique Gray, a great-grandson, Sean D. Williams and the father of her children, Oscar York. Relatives and friends are invited to attend Shirley’s Funeral Service at The Groffs Family Funeral Home, 528 W. Orange Street, Lancaster, PA on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. A viewing will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will take place at Mellinger Mennonite Cemetery. The funeral ceremony will be available for live stream at 11:00 a.m. Please visit https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/9703979731 In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift or donation in Shirley’s name to the hospice center that took such amazing care of our Mother and Nana and helped her daughter take care of her the last couple weeks of her journey – Capital Caring Health, Adler Center on the Van Metre Campus, 24419 Millstream Drive, Aldie, Virginia 20105.