Martha Sheila Bardeguez

Martha Sheila Bardeguez, 70 years old, passed away in Fayetteville, NC on July 18, 2025.

Martha was born in Tarrytown, NY on June 14, 1955, to Esther and Pedro. She grew up with her four brothers: Pete, Ahmed, Edwin (deceased), and Efrain; and carried her devotion to family throughout her life. She passed away in Fayetteville, NC on July 18, 2025, with her devoted partner of 25 years, Samuel, at her side.

Her family moved to Bronx, NY where her along with her brothers were raised. It was during her time here that she developed her love for dancing especially salsa and disco. She is remembered by many as an exceptional dancer.

While in NY she meets the father of her daughters while in school. They did not remain together and she sought a better life for her and her daughters. That desire took her to Hampton, VA where they settled for a few years. A marriage to a military man sent them to many places, even Wiesbaden, Germany where she was able to work as a Library Technician at an elementary school, a job she loved because working with children brought her so much happiness. While in Germany, she was able to see many interesting and beautiful places on family travels. They divorced soon after returning to Fayetteville, NC from Germany but she would soon learn that her oldest daughter, Veronica was having her first child of three, a son who would be named Zane. She was able to spend his first Christmas together in California where they lived. Isobel and Talula soon followed and she loved them all deeply and never stopped wishing for their health and happiness.

It was also her return to Fayetteville, NC that led to her meeting Samuel while doing her favorite thing, dancing. They became regular dance partners and also dedicated companions in life. They moved to Puerto Rico, she bought a home where they spent days walking the beachside and evenings salsa dancing. They went through Hurricane Maria and the pandemic together having each other's support through the difficulties helped them be resilient. They lived until last year when health issues brought them back to NC.

Her hugs were legendary according to those who got the chance to experience them, strong, grounding, and filled with love. She was content simply watching birds in her yard all afternoon and could spend hours by the ocean waves. But being with her loved ones was what she loved most of all.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Esther and Pedro, and her brother Edwin. She is survived by her daughters, Dana and Veronica; her partner of 25 years, Samuel; her grandchildren Zane, Isobel, and Talula; her brothers; her nieces and nephews (Melissa, Ahmed Jr., Michelle, Jasmine, Christina, Desmond and Jaquan); and countless friends who became family.

Private memorial services were held on August 2, 2025, for her close family and friends at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home in Fayetteville, NC. Please pass along your condolences to her family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the HDSA: https://hdsa.org/

Online condolences may be left at http://www.jerniganwarren.com

Arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28301

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Martha Sheila Bardeguez, please visit our floral store.