Belinda Ritz

Belinda was born on December 18, 1949 in Aransas Pass, Texas. She was reunited with her parents, Pete and Lillie Martinez on March 4, 2026 at the age of 76.

Belinda was a lifelong resident of Aransas Pass graduating with the class of 1969, where she was a proud member of the fighting Panther band. After graduation she pursued nursing at Del Mar College. Belinda graduated the LVN program from Del Mar where later in life she would return as an instructor for the CNA program. 

She met her future husband while student nursing at Spohn hospital. Gilbert happened to be with a friend that was visiting someone there at the hospital and they both met on that day. A girl from the coast and a boy from West Texas. They were married on April 3, 1971, according to Gilbert they were married for 54 years 11 months and one day. They would have celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary next month. 

Belinda started her nursing career at the nursing home in Aransas Pass and also worked at Lyman Roberts Hospital. The majority of her career was at North Bay Hospital, where she was a Med-Surg nurse for twenty plus years. She eventually moved out of the floor nursing position and took the lead on transitioning nursing notes from handwritten to a computer. She was responsible for helping set up the introduction of the new computer system. Belinda was also an advocate for the Texas peer assistance program for nurses. She had a full career at the hospital and made many life long friends whom she still stayed in contact with. After leaving North Bay she worked in the education of future healthcare workers. She worked for Del Mar College and South Texas Vocational Training as a C.N.A instructor until retirement. 

Belinda led a full life not only in her occupation, but with her family and community. As a member of the Aransas Pass Volunteer Fire Department for many years as well as a member of the fire departments ladies auxiliary, she was taught the importance of community involvement from a young age and led that life to its fullest. She fought brush fires on the back of the department brush trucks and then she would also make sandwiches to feed her fellow firefighters all in a days work. Belinda was honored with the firefighter of the year award from the South Central District Fireman Association. 

From the firehouse to the church she was an active member in her community. Belinda was a member of Saint Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Aransas Pass. She was active in the altar society, religious education instructor, a Eucharistic minister, and always there to help prepare meals for the A.C.T.s retreats. Always willing to lend her talent behind a sewing machine to help with needs of the church as they would arise. From decorating for the holidays or helping take care of the church’s plants she was there and willing to lend a hand. She loved her fellow parishioners, and her faith stayed with her every day. 

In her later years she was a big supporter of the Ark, the emergency shelter for abused children. Belinda would make hundreds of bows for their gala that was held every year to help support the shelter. She would sew blankets and also donate anything that she could to help these children. 

Her love for her faith, family, and community were important to her and she would never meet a stranger. Belinda was the matriarch of the family and she held everyone near and dear to her heart. She was “Mom” to many people, not just to her own children. 

Belinda loved animals. Her cats and dogs were her life. She would feed every animal around the neighborhood and she especially love feeding the peacocks.

Belinda loved her plants and had a green thumb. She loved her sidekick Dallas. He was named after her greatest Love The Dallas Cowboys! Win or lose, she bled blue! She was a loyal fan and never would give up hope on her Cowboys. Belinda loved sports and spring time was her time for baseball. You could always see her cheering on her CC Hooks, rain or shine; win or lose. 

She loved music, the arts, attending concerts, traveling, and just seeing something new.

Somehow, she was always lucky whenever she entered a casino. She had that special pull or touch on any slot machine. Amongst all her favorite things to do she loved cooking as well. Belinda was the first to offer to bake for any fundraiser, church event, school event or just for anyone. Her tamales were legendary as well as her pan del polvo. She had one rule …No Ketchup! She would give a little piece of herself every time she passed them on to family and friends. 

Belinda was a burst of energy, always smiling and willing to give to whomever needed help. She was a mother, aunt, sister, grandmother, and friend. Her strength and faith pushed her every day. No matter the pain or obstacle, she was always determined. 

Belinda may have passed, but she will always be remembered for her smile and the way she has touched many lives and hearts in her lifetime.

Belinda was prededed in death by her parents, Pete and Lillie Martinez; sister. Mary Grace Hernandez (Willie). 

She is survived by her husband, Gilbert Ritz; daughter, Lilia “Sissy” Ritz; and son, Gilbert “Chip” Ritz(Kimberly). Also, left to cherish her memories are her grandchildren, Sean Henson and Emma Henson.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the ARK Emergency Children’s Shelter in her memory.