June 14, 2927 - February 12, 2020

Beth (Clark) Martinez passed away surrounded by family on February 12, 2020 in Santa Rosa. Beth was born on June 14, 1927, in Blaine, Washington, a small town near the Canadian border, to Spencer C. Clark and Grace Warner.

When Beth was nine her family relocated to Seattle, Washington, where she graduated from Lincoln High School. She attended Reed College and the University of Washington, from which she obtained a degree in English literature.

In 1948 she married Nick Zanides, and in 1949 gave birth to twins, Linda and Mark, who became the focus of her young life.

In 1960, the family moved to Carmel, California. Beth's marriage ended in divorce, so she obtained a master's degree in education from Stanford and taught English at Pacific Grove High School.

In 1967, she married Dr. Hugo Martinez, who became a professor at UCSF. In San Francisco she discovered a passion for real estate, and in 1978 bought the Brookside East Apartments in Santa Rosa, which she managed until her death.

Beth loved good literature, bicycling, Birman cats and Japanese wood block prints. She was a passionate gardener and loved the out of doors. She ardently supported Howarth Park, the Sonoma Land Trust, Sonoma County Conservation Action and the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition.

Beth is survived by her husband Hugo, sister Diane Richards of Seattle, daughter Linda of Mill Valley, son Mark of Dana Point, California, step-daughter Laura Martinez of Portland, Oregon, step-son, Steve Martinez of Willow Creek and four grandchildren; Michael and Juliane Zanides of Dana Point, Margo Wagner of Portland, Oregon, and Clay Gardner of New York City. We will miss her love, indomitable will, and infinite passion for life.

I remember Mrs. Zanides very much as I was in at least one of her classes. I always thought that she was a wonderful teacher who really cared about teaching and her students. Very glad to hear that she went on from there for a wonderful life. - Doug Bird, PGHS Class of 1966

I loved Beth, my "Aunty Beth", and I always felt love from her. From my earliest childhood I have fond memories of her acting like a true aunt, expressing affection to her nephew and having me down to California for visits from a fairly protected environment in suburban Washington. From a days long canoeing adventure, to the opera and poking around the fascinating city of San Francisco, she helped open my eyes to a larger world. On a recent visit to her home, I was able to say good bye without knowing for which I am very grateful. May she rest in peace. - Jay Richards