Marta Fern Cisneros Stories
Ellen Zimmerman
My heart broke as I just found out the news about my friend, Marta. She was a thoughtful, loving and amazing woman. I remember meeting Marta when I lived in Rogers and she worked at the dry cleaners in Bentonville. She always had a smile and she began to recognize me and my car and she would see me pull up out front and she would have my clothes ready to go and the bill ready to be paid before I could even get through the door.
She was always welcoming and loving--a sense of hope radiated from her, even in tough times. I remember inviting her and her son, Alfonso, to join us at church at Bentonville Church of Christ and she accepted that invitation and became a very important part of the recovery program class where she helped with the food/drink preparation.
Marta had struggles in life but she always knew to turn to the Lord and ask him for help. Her faith was strong. She often told me that she prayed for me and my husband. Not a holiday passed that she did not call and if we sent her a gift, she called the minute it was received to thank us—many times with tears. She was always appreciative of all things.
She spoke of her family with pride and love. She was so proud of her son, Alfonso, and glowed when she spoke of him. I am so grateful that Jesus Christ gave me the gift of Marta’s friendship and due to His death and resurrection, He has also given me the gift to see her again. Until then, I will miss her.
Alfonzo Cisneros
A funny moment that happened while we were at a hotel in Florida was when we were getting on the elevator, it had a mirror on the back and I told her "Hey look, an antique!" and she turned around and realized that I was pointing at her in the mirror, and she smacked me and we both laughed.
Another good moment was up in Branson, we went to the butterfly museum and got to feed the butterflies nectar and have them land on us.