Patricia Carol Martinec Cebollero

Our wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandma, and sister passed away peacefully Monday, February 19, 2024, of congestive heart failure, surrounded by her family, in the home of her daughter Emilee Joy. She was affectionately called Grandma Florida, Grandma Pat, and Great-Grandma Pat-Pat.

Pat was born March 24, 1945, at Tyndall Air Force Base, the oldest and only daughter of William Emil and Dorothy Jean Shuler Martinec. She was over the moon with joy when her little brother, William “Tio,” was born when she was 7 years old. She fondly called him “my little brother” even though he towered her in height. Their childhood was full of adventure as they moved from place to place with their dad’s military service, living in; Illinois, Washington, Florida, Japan, Hawaii, and Germany. She really loved seeing snow in Germany and begged for Bongo drums in Japan, which were purchased for her and later became a fun toy for her children. She had tender memories of fishing with her daddy, eating delicious birthday cakes made by her mother, and watching her brother play basketball.

She married Frank Cebollero Jr. in 1965 at Eglin Air Force Base and they were later divorced. She gave birth to three amazing children: Jonathan Emmanuel in Pensacola, Florida; David Alexander in Bogotá, Colombia; and Emilee Joy in New Braunfels, Texas. They spent their early years traveling for church ministry. She shared a story of walking the streets in Colombia with her two small children and being followed. She was sure they would be kidnapped so she took the kids and hurried inside a flower shop. Her children were her very best gift and she was always so proud of them and their families.

Working hard was something that was important to Pat, and she was taught at a young age and passed that onto her children. At age 13, while living in Japan, she got her first job making 13 cents an hour cleaning at the local swimming pool. After her divorce, she left Texas with the 3 kids and moved next to her parents in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. She found work selling tombstones and eventually worked as the secretary to the head Chaplain at Eglin Air Force Base until her retirement.

Pat loved watching her kids excel in sports; picking out their favorite cereal while grocery shopping; smoking turkey, then fighting over who got the turkey neck; buying jewelry on Home Shopping Network; and walking to grandma’s house with a snake-catching stick in hand.

Once Pat got caught dumpster-diving by her embarrassed son as she was scouring for free fabric. She also enjoyed collecting treasures and free items; crocheting hundreds of hats and scarves; Mexican food, margaritas, Pringles, and chocolate; word-find puzzles (calling them crossword puzzles because it sounded like she was smarter); cheering on Florida State with her kids & grandkids. She joined Rian in cheering for the Oregon Ducks and raved about the good food he made for her, especially his weekly Sunday soup.

The grandchildren loved to visit her and her mom Great-Grandma Jean in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. They have fond memories of building sandcastles on the beach with her, finding souvenirs at the beach store, driving around the perfectly round Lake DeFuniak, eating fresh seafood, cheering on Florida State, and doing the Tomahawk Chop (learning as babies), making bracelets and crafts, sewing blankets, laughing as Grandma drank her brown-bag drink, trying on her wigs, asking her to take out her teeth, crocheting and knitting, doing a double whammy with her, learning to make her famous egg rolls, lottery scratch cards, and seeing her at their sporting events when she was in town. The grandchildren loved the Cebollero/Martinec family reunion weeks at Yellowstone/Island Park, Seagrove Beach, Red-neck BBQ Creek Day with Tom, and Utah trips in the fall where they hit the pumpkin patch and ate lots of Mormon Muffins.

She loved spending time with her brother, Bill/Tio, his wife, Connie and her one and only favorite nephew, William. She spent many holidays with them and treasured the time watching her grandkids swim in Tio’s pool. She enjoyed walking around Tio’s yard and took time to see each plant and flower.

She is survived by her family who loved her dearly: Jonathan (Lori) Cebollero of Layton, Utah and their children, Aubri Cebollero, Karsten (Madi) & Haze Cebollero, McKall Jean Cebollero and Elder Jackson Cebollero currently serving as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Bentonville, Arkansas. David Cebollero of Jacksonville, Florida and his children: Graycee San Cebollero and Ayva Carol Cebollero. Emilee Colangelo and Rian Renfro and their children: Gabriella Colangelo, Austin Renfro, Emma Renfro, Toby Renfro, and Savannah Renfro. She is also survived by her favorite brother Bill/Tio (Connie), and their son, William, and her precious cat, Emmy-Lou.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sweetheart Tom, and many beloved pets.
Special thanks to her daughter Emilee, fiancé Rian and granddaughter, Gabriella/Brie, for taking loving care of her in their home in Keizer, Oregon, for the last 5 years. The family gives thanks to hospice nurse Jill for her loving help in their mom’s last days.
Pat’s wishes were to be cremated and taken around the world with her family, which they are happy to do for her. Cremation under the care of Johnson Funeral Home of Salem, Oregon. A virtual private family service will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024, and a celebration of her life will be held later this year in Florida where the family will gather together again. In lieu of flowers, please hug your loved ones, serve someone in need, take a trip as a family, or donate to your local animal rescue shelter.