Eulalia "Laya" Martinez, 87, Enjoyed Gardening, Cooking, Crocheting and Singing

She was born in Utuado, Puerto Rico December 20, 1930 to the late Ramon and Filomena Mercado. Laya came to Lorain, Ohio in 1954, then moved to Juncos, Puerto Rico in 1980 upon retirement, then to Orlando, Florida in 1992 and back to Lorain in 1996 where she cared for her late husband until his death. She returned to Orlando, Florida in 1999.

Laya worked for Meyer Goldberg Grocery Store, Oakwood Plaza, Lorain in the bakery, then at Avon Oaks Country Club, Avon in the kitchen for many years. She was a member of Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal Ebenezer M.I in Lorain and Bethel Christian Church, Orlando where she served as a deaconess. Laya enjoyed her garden, planting flowers, cooking, crocheting and singing.

She will be dearly missed by her son, Wilfredo (Sylvia) Martinez of Lorain, Ohio, daughters Nancy Boneta of Port St. Lucie, Florida and Marilyn (Timothy) Omley of Orlando, Florida, her brother Jose Mercado of Utuado, PR, her sisters Sol Mercado of Bridgeport, Ct and Ester Mercado of Florida, and Alicia Mercado of Utuado, PR, 5 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Laya was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years Juan Martinez, her brothers Luis Mercado of Margate, FL, Manuel Mercado, Miguel Mercado and twin daughters who died in infancy.

Friends may call Friday, May 25 from 10 AM until time of her funeral service at 12 noon at Richard J. Reidy Funeral Home, 1783 Eat 31st Street, South Lorain. Burial will follow in Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst Township.

For further information and expressions of sympathy. Please see Reidyfuneral.com.