Marta Fernandez Douros

Marta Fernandez Douros died, unexpectedly, Tuesday evening, January 27, 2015 at Summit Healthcare Regional Medical Center in Show Low, Arizona following a sudden heart attack. She was 61 years old. Marta was born on November 13, 1953, in Douglas, Arizona to her parents, the late Edguardo and Genoveva (Sanchez) Fernandez. Marta was a member of Douglas High School's Graduating Class of 1972. Early on in life, she realized the importance of having a good, solid education that could support her throughout her life. She attended the University of Arizona in Tucson, where she received her BS in Education. On December 27, 1980, Marta's life forever changed when she married the love of her life, Tommy Christopher Douros at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Douglas. One by one, as her children were born, her joy and zest for life were magnified. She always considered her children to be "her greatest of accomplishments" and was very proud of the young women and man her children grew up to be. She loved to share their achievements and successes with others. Well after all of her kids were in school, Marta, decided to continue on with her own education goals. She enrolled at Northern Arizona University and received her Masters Degree in Counseling. Marta began her long and successful career in education when she began working as the typing instructor at Blue Ridge High School, a position she enjoyed for 2 years. Later, from 1978 to 1982, she worked at the old McNary High School and continued to teach students typing. It was at this point in her life that Marta took a break from teaching so she might rear her children. During this time, she worked part-time as a night instructor (teaching typing and computer classes) at Northland Pioneer College. In 1991, Marta started back to work full-time at Show Low High School where she worked in various positions. In recent years, she was a friendly and familiar face around Show Low Junior High School and worked as the school counselor. She was affectionately known as "Mrs. D." by the students and demonstrated the joy she received from her job by loving and caring for the needs of her students. She had a way of making the kids feel great about themselves and was more than happy to help them realize their greatest potential. She was well known, statewide, by a HUGE circle of friends. Rarely, would she travel the state and not run into someone with whom she taught, knew or worked alongside of without exchanging a warm and friendly hug. She truly touched thousands of lives over the course of the past four decades and the happiness she received in helping them through their school years was immense. They enriched her life and she fondly spoke of them through the years. Even when she wasn't working, Marta, always found something to keep her busy. She was an excellent gardener and was blessed with the proverbial "Green Thumb." She could grow anything from plants and flowers to vegetables and, it was said of her that, "she could take a stick and make it green." She also enjoyed doing her own handicrafts and spent countless hours, even days, scrapbooking and making her own greeting cards, including: Christmas cards, Valentines cards, Birthday cards, Halloween cards, Mother's Day cards and "just because" cards. She was an avid U of A Wildcats and Phoenix Suns fan and was able to convert her husband to the "wild" side when it came to her sports. Marta loved a good day at the lake and found a favorite fishing hole at San Carlos Lake where she could out fish anyone in her family! She enjoyed camping with her family and just loved being in their company. Marta also enjoyed a good day out and about around town shopping. Marta enjoyed cooking and frequently experimented different dishes without ever having to follow a recipe. Marta was a beautiful person, inside and out, and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She is survived by her husband of 34 years, Tommy Christopher "Chris" Douros of Show Low, Arizona; 2 daughters: Eleasa Douros of Tucson, Arizona, Genoveva Douros of Phoenix, Arizona; 1 son, Crisanto Douros of Tucson, Arizona; 1 granddaughter, Hailey de la Rosa of Phoenix, Arizona; siblings: Anita Fernandez of Sierra Vista, Felix (Kathy) Fernandez of Tucson, Arizona, Armando (Minnie) Fernandez of Bisbee, Arizona, Gloria (Jesus) Linn of Flagstaff, Arizona, Lydia Collins of Glenview, Illinois and is also survived by a large extended family and many friends. Along with her parents, Marta was preceded in death by siblings: Eduardo Fernandez, Trinidad Fernandez and Delia Chabin. The public visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at St. Rita's Catholic Church, 1400 E. Owens in Show Low, Arizona where the Recitation of the Rosary will begin at 7:00 P.M. The Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will begin 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, February 4, 2015 at St. Rita's Catholic Church. The concluding committal service and interment will immediately follow at the Show Low Cemetery. Memorial contributions, in Marta's name, to The Little Sisters of The Poor - Villa Guadalupe, 2875 S. James Drive, New Berlin, WI 53151 has been suggested by her family.