Shirley Kay Martinez (née Adams) passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 10, 2025, at the age of 92, at her longtime home in Lake Forest, California.

Shirley was born on June 11, 1932, in Bell, California, to Richard L. Adams and Ruth Christina Adams. She was raised with her younger sister Arlene Karol Andrews and spent her childhood in Bell Gardens, where she formed many lifelong friendships. Like many in the area during World War II, her father worked for the Department of Defense while her mother worked at Goodyear, before the couple eventually ran a TV and radio repair shop.

Shirley's early years in rural Bell Gardens were filled with community and creativity. She learned to sew beautifully, played tennis, and was active in her local church youth group. A proud graduate of Bell Gardens High School, she served as Secretary of the Student Body and was a member of the tennis team. She dreamed of becoming an elementary school teacher.

She had a special bond with her younger sister Arlene and often brought her along to local events and outings. During what was known as "The Golden Age of Dance," swing music was wildly popular. Shirley spent her weekends jitterbugging and foxtrotting in dance halls across Los Angeles.

In 1950, she met her future husband, Arthur "Art" Martinez, and his brother Ed on a blind date arranged by her best friend Helene. Shirley and Art married in 1952. From 1950 to 1952, Shirley attended classes at East LA City College. During the Korean War, while Art was serving in the Navy, Shirley moved into a small house behind her father and stepmother Grace's home. Their first daughter, Karol Denise, was born during this time.

After Art's service, the family moved to Garden Grove in 1954, where they welcomed two more children, Karin Michele and Jon Arthur. In 1965, they settled in a new home in El Toro—now known as Lake Forest—where Shirley would live for the rest of her life. At the time, the area was surrounded by orange groves and had just a country store and a post office. Shirley often said the best years of her life were spent raising her children and being a homemaker.

Later, she returned to college in Mission Viejo and became a dedicated medical assistant. Having spent years at Children's Hospital with her eldest daughter and volunteering with the Women's Auxiliary at Mission Hospital, she had a natural gift for caregiving. She went on to work for a group of surgeons in Laguna Hills and later for an orthopedic surgeon in South Laguna before retiring.

Shirley found great joy in her role as a grandmother. She was deeply involved in her grandsons' lives, rarely missing an event, and always lending a helping hand. She went on many family outings and once camped with her grandsons at the Grand Canyon. She will always be remembered as a loving grandmother and a great listener.

Her passion for California history and geography remained a constant throughout her life. In addition to sewing and dancing, she loved playing golf, water skiing, and traveling. She visited Israel twice; the second time in her mid-eighties. In her later years, she spent much of her time gardening in her backyard and watching golf tournaments.

Shirley is survived by her daughter Karol Martinez; daughter Karin Myers and son-in-law James Myers; son Jon Martinez and daughter-in-law Judy Martinez; and grandchildren Russell Myers and his wife Amanda Myers, Keith Myers, and Evan Myers. She is also survived by her sister Arlene Andrews, brother-in-law Fred, and their children Michael, Timothy, and Diana; her half-brother Richard L. Adams and his wife Carmen and family; and half-brother Roger Adams and his wife Akiko. She was preceded in death by her grandson, Michael Arthur Myers.

Services

A service will be held on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at 10:00 A.M. at McCormick and Son Mortuary, Laguna Hills, CA.

Shirley will be laid to rest at Park Lawn Cemetery in Commerce, CA, at 1:00 P.M. A gathering of family and friends will follow at 3:30 P.M. at Olive Garden Restaurant in Laguna Woods.