Dorothy Lee Martinez "Dottie" was a caring mother, grandmother, wife, sister, and friend. She left the world on October 7, 2021, at age 82. She grew up in Wilmington and was a resident of Vilone Village for the last 56 years.

She was born to Rodney and Pauline Willon in 1938. After graduating from Wilmington High School, Dottie worked at Blue Cross Blue Shield where she made many lifelong friends. She met her husband, Nicholas Martinez (a local 451 iron worker), at a St. Anthony's Armory dance and they married in 1959. Together, they had 2 children: Nicholas and Vicki Lynn. While raising her children, Dottie was an evening keypunch operator. In the 1980's, she managed a physical therapy office.

Dottie loved spending time with family, especially her beloved grandchildren with whom she had a very special bond. She often would have neighbors, friends, and family over for barbeques, holidays, and special occasions. Many neighborhood kids will remember swimming in the pool where "Mrs. Martinez" doled out popsicles and drinks. Dottie was an avid reader and loved crossword puzzles, card games, boards games and tv game shows.

She volunteered at Wilmington Chapter of Deborah Heart and Lung Hospital where she participated in spaghetti dinners and raffle ticket fundraisers. Later in life, she cleaned houses for locals and became part of their families. She was warm, generous, patient, spirited, funny and above all – loving. Her children would often refer to her as a saint.

Preceded in death by her husband, Nicholas Martinez; brothers, Rodney Willon Jr., Thomas Willon, and William Kettner. Dottie is survived by her son, Nicholas of Wilmington, DE; Vicki Hyde of Fairfield, CT; her cherished grandchildren, Colin Hyde of Bloomfield, NJ; and Dana Dorothy Hyde of Boston, MA; her twin brothers Lewis and Jonathan (Wanda) Shapiro of Wilmington, DE; sister-in-law Nancy Kettner of Fries, VA; and numerous nieces, nephews, and sibling like cousins.

A visitation will be on Sunday, October 17, 2021, at Krienen-Griffith Funeral Home, 1400 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19805 at 1:00. A memorial service will follow at 1:30 pm.