Maria Luisa Martinez

Maria Luisa "Maguí" Martinez, 86 of Union passed away on February 18, 2026.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation for Maguí at the Galante Funeral Home, 2800 Morris Ave. Union on Tuesday February 24 from 4-8 PM. A Funeral Service will be celebrated in the funeral home on Wednesday at 12 noon. Interment will follow at Hollywood Memorial Park.

Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, Maguí immigrated to the United States at 19 years old, arriving in Manhattan, NY on June 15, 1958. Upon her arrival, she took a job creating and selling beautiful handmade jewelry in Brooklyn. She resided in New York until moving to New Jersey in 1969, and has been a Union resident for the past 42 years.

Maguí loved music, especially Elvis Presley and Pitbull. She was always the first person on the dance floor at family gatherings. She cherished good times and laughter, and most treasured caring for her family as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Maguí was the beloved wife of the late Luis Martinez, Sr. She was the loving mother of Lillian Morales and her husband Juan A., Jeannette Ruiz and her husband Alfredo E., Noemi Gargiulo and her husband Steven and Luis Martinez, Jr. She was the dear grandmother of Lillie Morales Torres and her husband Oliver, Johnny Morales and his wife Holly, Sofia V. Ruiz, Nicholas Gargiulo, Valerie Gargiulo, Anthony Gargiulo and Luis L. Martinez; and adoring great-grandmother of Liana M. Torres and Aubrey G. Morales. She is also survived by her sisters Adela Del Pilar and Mercedes Chavez.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the American Heart Association by using the link below.