RITA R. ORTIZ

Rita R. Ortiz, 82, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 27, 2016, at home surrounded by her loving family.

Rita was born on May 22, 1933, in Laredo, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 63 yrs., Jose L. Ortiz.

Their love story was a classic Notebook" story.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. Servando and Maria Rodriguez, sisters: Ernestina Flores, Maria Arredondo, Angelina Rodriguez, Evangelina Rodriguez, Guadalupe Campos and Baby San Juanita Rodriguez. Also preceding her death are Grand Children: Maria Guadalupe Ortiz, Master Fabian F. Ortiz and Gabriela Pena; Great Grandchildren: Master Felipe Adrian Reyes and Master James Medina III.

Surviving children: Diana Ortiz, Mary Pat Ortiz, Teresa (Jesus) Padilla, Jose Ricardo (Maria) Ortiz, Juan Ortiz, Raquel Pena, Fabian (Delfina) Ortiz, Carmen Reyes, Luis (Ruby) Ortiz, Anselmo (Leticia) Ortiz, Michelle Ortiz Ortega.

Surviving Grandchildren: Abram Castro, Diego Antonio (Claudia) Hernandez, Erika (Robert) De Leon, Jesus Padilla, Alexandro Padilla, Josefina Ortiz, Joselyn Ortiz, Ricardo Ortiz, Lindsy Ortiz, Lizelle Ortiz, Catherine Pacheco, Martin Reyes, Fabian Ortiz, Jr., Alma Ortiz, Patricia (James) Medina, Abigail Ortiz and Jose Juan Arturo Ortega.

Also surviving her are sisters: Alicia Gamez, Theodora (Everardo) Garcia, Noemi (Alfredo) Soto, Norma Lobo; Brothers: Servando (Gloria) Rodriguez, Jr., Juan Jose (Alicia) Rodriguez, and Rogelio (Katherine) Rodriguez;

Rita was the Matriarch of the Ortiz Family; she devoted her time and energy to rearing and directing her eleven (11) children.   She instilled in her children the importance of a good education and hard work. She would not rest until all her children were safely home at night.   She enjoyed sharing her experiences of her early years as a migrant worker and her adventures as a factory worker in Chicago, Illinois, where she met the love of her life, our father, Jose L. (Pepe) Ortiz. They married and moved to Laredo where she spent the remainder of her life.   Rita was a diehard Dallas Cowboys and San Antonio Spurs fan till the end.

The Family would like to thank the following for their care and support: Santa Rita Home Health Services, Altus Hospice, Dr. J.R. Garcia, Dr. Carlos Espinoza, Dr. Luis Benavides, US Renal Center, Primary Ambulance Service and personal care attendants: Maria Gonzalez and Viridiana Nava.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 29, 2016 from 4 to 9 p.m. and a Vigil of the Deceased will be held at 7 p.m. in the Hernandez-Lopez and Sons East Chapel,  4500 Thomas Ave. Funeral services will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 30, 2016 departing from the funeral home chapel. Holy Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. at San Martin de Porres Catholic Church. Committal services and interment will then follow in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.