Ramona Ortiz

Ramona ‘Angel' Ortiz, 78, passed away February 6, 2022. Angel was born January 31, 1944, to Jose Dolores Esquibel and Manuelita Luna in Rifle, Colorado. When she was three years old, her mother passed away and she and her siblings were separated, each going to live with different aunts and uncles. She was raised by Luis & Juanita Martinez in Tierra Amarilla, NM. Always a very quiet and shy straight A student, at the age of 12 she moved to Albuquerque and graduated from Valley High School in 1962. She continued her education at Regina School of Nursing and graduated with her RN in 1965. In April of that same year, she was introduced by a schoolmate to the love of her life, Eleuterio ‘Terry' Ortiz. After a whirlwind one-month courtship, they were engaged in May and married on November 27, 1965. During their 56 years together, they raised four children and moved many times, living in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Bosque Farms, Portales, and Las Cruces, NM as well as El Paso, TX. While raising the family, Angel worked full time as a registered nurse. Her kind and gentle manner led to a long nursing career where she worked in pediatrics, home health care, family practice, and obstetrics. At the height of 4'-9", she joked that she loved working in pediatrics so she would be taller than her patients. In 1989 she left nursing and began working at Blue Cross Blue Shield as a nurse reviewer. She went back to school at College of St. Francis and after 2 years of evening classes she earned her Bachelor of Administration in Health Services in 1996. It was a highlight for her to attend her commencement in Illinois. Angel always had a love of music, especially singing. Throughout her elementary and high school years she was a member of the school choirs. Inspired by her children's band participation, at the age of 40 she began guitar and piano lessons. She shared her talents with her Church playing guitar and singing with the parish choir, first at St Helen's in Portales and then at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Peralta, NM. She was also very involved in other parish ministries, and she made many lifelong friends through the over 20 years she and Terry were active in Marriage Enrichment. She was an avid reader and accomplished seamstress. Due to her petite stature, it was necessary for her to learn to sew to always alter her own clothing, but she especially enjoyed sewing for her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. From everyday clothing to Baptismal gowns, prom dresses and wedding gowns she loved sharing her talent. In 2000, she started a traveling tablecloth. Each year it was signed by all who shared Christmas dinner with her and Terry and before the next Christmas she would stitch everyone's signature and artwork for a permanent treasured memory. She enjoyed travel and what began as family road trips led to visiting all 50 states, a European tour, and a memorable visit to the Holy Land. In retirement, she and Terry hit the road and had numerous years of RV travels, many of which were shared with her brother Horace and his wife Ilse. Angel felt it was important to be an ever-present Grammy and she absolutely cherished her grandchildren. She found a special connection with each one and made sure they knew they were precious and loved. She attended their important "firsts"; beamed with pride at their sporting events, musical recitals, and stage shows; spent countless hours enjoying their favorite activities; and made sure they knew how to bake biscochitos and brownies. Angel was preceded in death by her parents and by her brother, Jose "Horace" Esquibel. She is survived by her husband, Terry Ortiz of Las Cruces; by her sisters Trinney Barela (Frank), of Albuquerque and Joan Garcia (Frank) of Mesa, AZ; sisters-in-law: Theresa Salazar of Las Cruces, and Imelda Rodriguez of Santa Fe; by her children: Louise Harty (Leland) of Las Cruces, Joseph Ortiz (Amy) of Las Cruces, Kathryn Ortiz-Kent (Scott) of Gilbert, AZ, Steven Ortiz of Los Lunas, NM, and stepson Gary Leyba (Carolina) of Las Cruces; by her ten grandchildren: Jordan Harty (Kristin) of Doylestown, PA, Erin Harty of Ann Arbor, MI, Ryan Harty of Orlando, FL, Aidan Ortiz, David Ortiz, Angelica Ortiz of Las Cruces, and Andres Kent, Kieryn Kent, Antonio Kent, and Emilia Kent of Gilbert, AZ. She also held a special place in her heart for her godchildren and many nieces and nephews. Services will be held in Las Cruces: Visitation at Getz Funeral Home on Thursday, February 17, 5:00pm - 7:00pm immediately followed by a Rosary; Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine & Parish on Friday, February 18, 10:00am. A private internment will take place at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to her church, Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine & Parish in Las Cruces. First Visitation
Thursday, February 17, 2022 5:00pm - 7:00pm,
Getz Funeral Home Chapel

1410 E. Bowman Ave
Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001






Service Information
Friday, February 18, 2022 10:00am,
Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine and Parish

3600 Parroquia St.
Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001






Rosary Service
Thursday, February 17, 2022 7:00pm,
Getz Funeral Home Chapel

1410 E. Bowman Ave
Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001