Yesterday morning’s accident on Catalina Road, in which a large Jeffrey Pine fell on a single moving vehicle, resulted in the death of Elena Martinez, a 31-year-old resident of Big Bear Lake. Martinez had earlier this year married her childhood sweetheart Francisco, with whom she had four children (15-year-old Lucero, 13-year-old Francisco, 8-year-old Cece, and 2-year-old Grace). A devoted mother, Martinez was also an employee of Big Bear Cool Cabins. Her friend and co-worker, Johanna Reyes of Big Bear Cool Cabins, tells KBHR, “Elena was a very hard worker, and helped us with housekeeping and reservations. She was a great friend to me, and helped everyone with anything that she could. She was always smiling, and she made everyone feel at home.” In addition to brightening the office at Big Bear Cool Cabins with her warmth and homemade food, Martinez was devoted to her family. Adds friend Reyes, “Elena was a beautiful mom. She did everything for those kids, and was busy planning her daughter’s quinceañera. She was always very giving, loving, and had a big heart; Elena was also very funny, energetic, and full of life.” Though no memorial service has yet been planned for Martinez, her coworkers are today establishing a memorial fund in her name at Union Bank.
For information on yesterday’s accident, you can read our story posted on June 3.
