Eve Alice Kepner Martinez

Eve Alice Kepner Martinez, a beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend, passed away March 8, 2026, after a long battle with ovarian cancer.

Born in Washington, D.C., in 1969, Eve was a longtime resident of Sacramento, CA., where she raised a family with her husband, William “Billy” Martinez. The devoted couple married in Maine in 1999 and welcomed their son Kellen in 2004.

Eve was a highly accomplished physical therapist passionate about her career and known for building close relationships with her patients. In the course of her training, she studied under internationally recognized physical therapists Martin Langaas (MA), Tim McGonigle and Michael Moore. Over her 30-year career, Eve excelled in a variety of settings, including 20 years at Alves & Martinez Physical Therapy in Elk Grove and East Sacramento.

Eve brought her positive spirit and bright smile to countless community volunteer endeavors. She made meaningful and generous contributions to the River Park Neighborhood Association, River Park Mothers Club, River Park Youth Baseball, Holy Spirit Parish School, St. Ignatius School and Christian Brothers High School. Eve was always ready to help someone else before herself and had a steady kindness and joy she carried everywhere she went. Her smile was infectious and she made people feel welcome, valued and part of something bigger.

A woman of boundless talent and uncommon kindness, Eve had profound passion for cooking and baking, flower arranging, music, singing, writing, journaling, drawing and calligraphy. She loved to exercise and was an avid reader. She was an avowed tinkerer who had the know-how and determination to fix just about anything. She was also appreciated as a faithful sender of birthday cards and thank you notes.

Eve’s talents shone most brightly during the holidays, when she decorated, cooked, baked and shared her bounty—often elaborate gift baskets overflowing with handmade gifts—with countless friends and family. She took great pride in making her home a warm and inviting space for all who entered.

Eve relished being a mother and was most content when cheering on Kellen at a baseball game. She and Billy enjoyed a genuine partnership characterized by mutual respect and admiration. Billy and Kellen were grateful recipients of Eve’s unceasing encouragement, care and love. Her strong faith and deep relationship with God sustained her family.

In addition to Billy and Kellen, Eve is survived by her parents, Tom and Jeanette Kepner, of Lexington Park, Md.; siblings Faye (Richard) Lewandowski of Sunderland, Md., Martha (Mark) Montana of Haymarket, Va., and Matt (Lea) Kepner of Upper Marlboro, Md.; loving friend Roberta “Cookie” Lawrence, wife of the late Dr. Harry “Skip” Lawrence; and numerous nieces, nephews and siblings-in-law.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, March 28, at 11 a.m. at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, 4123 Robertson Ave., Sacramento, CA. 95821.

In memory of Eve, kindly consider making a gift to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) at ocrahope.org or the St. Vincent de Paul Society at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, 4123 Robertson Ave., Sacramento, CA 95821