Zeny was born to Juan and Julita Martinez and graduated from the University of Santo Thomas with a BA in Nutrition and Dietetics. She came to the U.S. in 1968 and worked in the Chicago area. After a few years, she pursued a graduate degree at Northern Illinois University, while working as an Associate Director of Food Services. Zeny married Ulda on May 4, 1974, and had their first child, Dulce, in 1975. The family moved to Chapel Hill in 1976, where she became a stay-at-home mom briefly after her son Daniel was born in 1978. She worked at Chapel Hill High School as a nutritionist, and later moved to UNC as an Administrative Dietitian. After several years managing food preparation, she switched to Clinical Dietitian, a position she held until retirement in 2003. Upon retirement, she did volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity, the Soup Kitchen, Care and Share, Senior Citizens program, and as a fashion model for the Carolina Club. She managed the family real estate business, directed the repair and maintenance of several rental properties, and managed the construction of a duplex at the family farm in Hillsborough. Zeny was ecstatic over the birth of her grandson Elijah, had many good times with him; and was elated to learn of the upcoming second grandchild. Zeny was very active with the Phil- Am Assoc., the International Festival and Christmas Balls. A parishioner of St. Thomas More Catholic Church, she was also extremely involved with the Propagation of the Faith. She was diligent in obtaining religious articles, cards and pamphlets for distribution among people locally and abroad, and especially among her friends. She was a long time extraordinary minister for the Holy Eucharist, shut-ins and visited hospital patients. She regularly attended rosaries honoring the Virgin Mary, hosted Masses at home and assisted in planning Flores de Mayo celebrations. Zeny was remarkably generous in supporting programs for the poor, needs of foreign churches, and the support for priestly vocation. She and her husband joined a medical mission to Iloilo, Philippines in 2002, and she was able to make a final trip to the Philippines in June 2005. Famous for her popular bread, Zeny established the home baking business of "Zeny Bread", taking orders nationwide, with its slogan, "You buy the bread, we'll make the dough." Always firm and strict, Zeny was a loving mother who revealed her wisdom through her clever ability to associate sayings with lessons. She was a good role model for her family, with many well rounded talents. Zeny was capable of almost anything but swimming and riding a bike. She sewed the family's clothes and crafted fun items like stuffed toys. Zeny made Christmas ornaments, crocheted blankets and embroidered pillow cases. In short, she was the "Filipino Martha Stewart." Zeny died Tuesday in UNC Hospital at age 59.