Friends say Mary Martinez operated “behind the scenes.”
For years, she held numerous fundraisers and quietly touched the lives of countless women across Albuquerque by helping them get into shape and being by their side in trying times.
Mary Martinez, center, with her Zumba class members. (Courtesy of Melanie Tidman)
“She was such a presence in all our lives,” friend Melanie Tidman said. “And I’m talking hundreds of women, this isn’t a small group.”
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But little was said of the 59-year-old after she, her husband Martin, their friends Susan and John Montoya, and pilot Nick Meleski were killed in a balloon crash last weekend on the West Side.
Woman lost in balloon crash lived life to help people msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
5 who died in New Mexico hot air balloon crash identified
June 27, 2021 GMT
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Authorities on Sunday released the names of the pilot and two couples who died after a hot air balloon they were riding in struck a power line and crashed onto a busy street in Albuquerque.
New Mexico State Police on Sunday identified the pilot as 62-year-old Nicholas Meleski and the four passengers as Susan Montoya, 65; John Montoya, 61; Mary Martinez, 59; and Martin Martinez, 62. The ages of the Martinez couple were reversed when authorities released their identities Saturday.
All were Albuquerque residents.
State Police said John Montoya died at a hospital from his injuries while the other victims were declared dead at the crash scene Saturday.
Published Sunday, June 27, 2021 5:55PM EDT ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Authorities on Sunday released the names of the pilot and two couples who died after a hot air balloon they were riding in struck a power line and crashed onto a busy street in Albuquerque. New
Mexico State Police on Sunday identified the pilot as 62-year-old Nicholas Meleski and the four passengers as Susan Montoya, 65; John Montoya, 61; Mary Martinez, 59; and Martin Martinez, 62. The ages of the Martinez couple were reversed when authorities released their identities Saturday. All were Albuquerque residents. State Police said John Montoya died at a hospital from his injuries while the other victims were declared dead at the crash scene Saturday.
Jun 27, 2021 / 07:42 PM EDT / Updated:
Jun 27, 2021 / 08:03 PM EDT
A bouquet of flowers from a mourner is placed near the basket of a hot air balloon which crashed in Albuquerque, N.M., Saturday, June 26, 2021. Police said the five occupants died after it crashed on the busy street. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Authorities on Sunday released the names of the pilot and two couples who died after a hot air balloon they were riding in struck a power line and crashed onto a busy street in Albuquerque.
New Mexico State Police on Sunday identified the pilot as 62-year-old Nicholas Meleski and the four passengers as Susan Montoya, 65; John Montoya, 61; Mary Martinez, 59; and Martin Martinez, 62. The ages of the Martinez couple were reversed when authorities released their identities Saturday.