Natasha Lee “Tasha” Martinez, 37 years old, of Las Vegas, Nevada, formerly of Pampa, Texas, unexpectedly left this life when God called her name on Thursday, July 18, 2024, leaving a wave of sadness and unanswered questions for her family and friends.
She was born on March 9, 1987, to Laura Martinez and the late Les Alexander in Amarillo, Texas.
She lived the majority of her childhood in Pampa; however, she did move to Roswell, New Mexico for about a year and graduated from Roswell High School in 2005.
Her passion for cooking took her to Las Vegas where she attended culinary school. While in Vegas, she decided to try her hand at dealing blackjack and roulette in the casino scene starting at Harrah’s, Lynx, and the Flamingo.
Later, after finding out there were more opportunities and money to be made as a cocktail waitress, Tasha changed gears and before long, moved her way up the ranks quickly to food and beverage manager of the Aria Casino. Not only did she love her position and the employees, but they too, loved and respected her way of management.
Since being raised exposed to awesome music, Tasha had an appreciation for music at an early age and only grew to love various genres as well as eras of music. She played both the clarinet and the obo in the high school band and absolutely loved to sing and jam out in the car with her brother and friends at every given opportunity. Her smile would light up a room, her laugh was contagious, she was the life of the party and no matter where she went, she made friends.
She loved being in style and of course, that meant shopping! But Tasha’s beauty wasn’t just in what she wore or how she fixed her makeup, her beauty came from within her truly happy heart and the love she carried for others – especially Lily. Once she became Lily’s momma, her own life was devoted to meeting Lily’s needs. Tasha took joy in spending quality time with Lily whether it be crafting, swimming or simply hanging out together. Family was the center of Tasha’s world, and she loved them all dearly.
Tasha was reunited with her grandma, Petra Martinez Rubio; grandfather, Charles Martinez, Sr.; father, Les Alexander; Uncle Patrick Francisco and a cousin, Nathanial Matthew Powell.
Loved ones remaining that will always remember her contagious smile and carry her memory in their hearts are her daughter, Lilyana Izel Valdez of Las Vegas; her mom and dad, Laura and Dusty Helfer of Pampa; her dad, Robert Gray of Weatherford, OK; husband, TJ Dziewit of Las Vegas; brothers, Christopher Gray of Pampa, Ian Powers and wife Clare Black Powers of Denver, CO and many aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family who will all miss her greatly.
Tasha will be available to pay respects on Thursday, August 1st from 2 until 8 pm and again Friday from 9 until 8 pm with the family being present to receive guests from 6-8 in Winegeart Funeral Home Serenity Chapel.
Celebration of Life Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 3, 2024, in Winegeart Funeral Home Serenity Chapel with Brother Jim Sinyard officiating. Cremation will follow services. The family has entrusted the care of their loved one to Winegeart Funeral Home.
Should donations be preferred, the family kindly suggests they be made to an account that has been set up for Lilyana at Amarillo Community Federal Credit Union, 900 N. Hobart Street, Pampa, TX 79065 in memory of Natasha.
To express condolences and words of comfort for the family on Tasha’s Book of Memories, please visit www.winegeartfuneral.com.
