Sally Calvo Martinez

Sally Calvo Martinez was born in Paul Spur, Arizona and was the eighth child born to Nemecio Lara Calvo and Emelia Oros Calvo on November 27, 1944. The Calvo family moved to Eloy, Arizona in February, 1945. Sally earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. In addition, she graduated from the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute. She developed the Gila River Entrepreneurship Program while working for the Gila River Indian Community as an Economic Development Planner. She assisted her husband, Terry Martinez and son, Jose Martinez in the development and expansion of Santa Cruz Pump Company and Martinez Custom Service. She was a member of St. Helen’s Catholic Church, Executive member of the Arizona Native American Economic Coalition, Chair of the Tohono O’Odham Nation Community Development Financial Institution, Executive member of the Pinal County United Way and a Charter Lifetime member of the Gila River Business Owners Association. Sally was most proud of her role of mother to Patricia Martinez Walter, Jose Martinez, Susan Martinez and Carolyn Martinez-Leija. She was equally proud to be grandmother/"Nana" to her grandchildren, Sammy Ruiz, Jr., Trey Castillo, Salvador Ruiz, Justine Martinez, Sebastian Ruiz, Matthew Leija, Joseph Martinez and Summer Leija, and great-grandmother to Jose Tarango Ruiz, Nathan Ruiz, Sebastian Ruiz, Jr. and Leonardo Ruiz. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, four children, seven grandchildren, and four greatgrandchildren. Her first grandson, Sammy Danny Ruiz, Jr. waits to greet her in heaven with all the angels and saints.