Obituaries

Jacquelyn Elvira Martinez, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and community mentor, passed away peacefully in Fremont, California, on January 19, 2026.

Born on February 25, 1948, in Sebring, Florida, Jacquelyn was the second-born twin to Melvin Bacon Jr. and Annie Mae "Cherry" Bacon. Her early years were marked by adventure; from 1953 to 1959, she lived in Hawaii with her younger brother, Melvin "Skip" Bacon, creating memories that spanned the Pacific.

The family eventually settled in San Francisco, where Jacquelyn attended Polytechnic High School. It was there that she met the love of her life, Anthony Martinez. The two were wed on New Year’s Eve in 1965, beginning a beautiful journey of partnership that lasted 60 years.

Jacquelyn and Anthony raised their four children, living in San Francisco and Pacifica before eventually moving to the East and South Bay. For more than a decade, Jacquelyn served as a Site Supervisor for the Hayward Area Recreation Department. She truly loved her work, spending her days planning activities, games, and lunches for the neighborhood children. To many, she was more than a supervisor; she was a mentor who provided guidance and wisdom as they grew, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of many young people who never forgot the advice she gave them.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Anthony Martinez; her children, Antoinette, Armondo, and Mario; her brother, Greg Moore; and her cherished grandchildren, Corey, Anthony, and Alexis. She also leaves behind her great-grandson, Elias, as well as a host of beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins, and friends who will miss her dearly.

Jacquelyn was preceded in death by her son, Juan Martinez, who passed in 1991. She is now reunited with him, as well as her parents Melvin Bacon Jr. & Annie Mae Bacon, twin sister Ruth, and her brother, Melvin "Skip" Bacon.

Jacquelyn will be remembered for her deep roots in her community, her unwavering dedication to those she loved, and the sage advice she shared with so many. Her legacy lives on in the family she nurtured and the generations of neighborhood children she helped guide.