Eve Alice Kepner Martinez

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

Born in Washington, D.C., in 1969, Eve was a longtime resident of Sacramento, California, 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.

A highly accomplished physical therapist, Eve was passionate about her career and known for the close relationships she built with her patients. She studied under internationally recognized physical therapists Martin Langaas, Tim McGonigle, and Michael Moore. Over her thirty-year career, she excelled in a variety of settings, including twenty 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 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. She was always ready to help others before herself, carrying a steady kindness and joy wherever she went. Her infectious smile made people feel welcome, valued, and part of something bigger.

A woman of boundless talent and uncommon kindness, Eve had a profound passion for cooking and baking, flower arranging, music, singing, writing, journaling, drawing, and calligraphy. She loved to exercise, was an avid reader, and was an avowed tinkerer who could fix just about anything. She was also appreciated for her faithful habit of sending birthday cards and thank-you notes. Her talents shone most brightly during the holidays, when she decorated, cooked, baked, and shared elaborate gift baskets filled with handmade gifts with 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 shared a genuine partnership marked by mutual respect and admiration. Billy and Kellen were the grateful recipients of her 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, Maryland; her siblings, Faye (Richard) Lewandowski of Sunderland, Maryland, Martha (Mark) Montana of Haymarket, Virginia, and Matt (Lea) Kepner of Upper Marlboro, Maryland; her loving friend Roberta “Cookie” Lawrence, wife of the late Dr. Harry “Skip” Lawrence; and numerous nieces, nephews, and siblings-in-law.