Claudia Martinez Orchard

Claudia M. Orchard – wife, mother, grandmother, and friend – passed away in Katy, Texas on Monday April 3, 2017. She was preceded in death by her mother Jesusita Grissom, her step-father Lee O. Grissom, her father Eusebio Martinez, and her grandparents Victoria G. and Ysabel Dominguez. She is survived by her devoted husband of almost 55 years, William Henry Orchard, and her three daughters Linda Lee Shelton (Keith Shelton), Debra Annette Ross (Michael Ross), Juanita Therese Gonzalez (Richard Gonzalez), and cousin Carmen Vermillian (Richard Vermillion). Claudia celebrated the birth of nine grandchildren: Richard Gonzalez Jr. (Miranda Perkins), Courtney Marie McBain, Aaron Michael Ross (Jessica Moeller), Kenneth Seth Shelton, Taylor Christine Ross, Jennifer Therese Gonzalez, Rachel Nicole Shelton, Shaun Daniel Ross and William Joseph Gonzalez. Claudia was born in Shafter, Texas on June 6, 1938 and grew up in El Paso, Texas. She met William while he was serving in the Army and was stationed at Ft. Bliss in El Paso. They were married on August 25, 1962 at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Claudia’s true calling was to be a mother to her three daughters, a hard-working homemaker, a talented and accomplished artist, seamstress, and a caretaker to her mother Jesusita and her Aunt Mary. Claudia lived a full and happy life which included traveling in their motor home after retirement to visit each of their children and grandchildren. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2008 and was cared for by her loving and devoted husband with much assistance from the selfless help of the volunteers of "The Gathering's" Alzheimer’s Respite in the Katy, Texas area, and the Second Family Ministry, especially Gracia Taborda. Although no memorial service will be held, there will be a mass in Claudia’s memory at St. Bartholomew the Apostle Catholic Church, 5356 11th Street, Katy Texas, 77493 at 10:00am on Saturday, May 20th, 2017, Father Nicolas Ramirez presiding. A special thank you to A-Med Hospice for their care and compassion in mom's final days. The family would welcome any notes, memories or sharing in the comments area of this website. Also, in lieu of flowers, please consider making a tribute donation in Claudia’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association. www.alz.org