Jessie H. Ortega

Jessie H. Ortega joined the Lord in eternal life on January 25, 2026. Jessie was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, Tia, and friend. She was 95 years young, born on June 1, 1930 to Manuel Hernandez and Ramona Trujillo. On July 7, 1951, Jessie married the love of her life, Manuel (Chito) Ortega and they started a beautiful family together.

Jessie was a homemaker. She lovingly took care of her family and at times lent a hand at her mother-in-law’s restaurant. Jessie’s favorite positions were cooking, preparing menu items, and making tamales the restaurant sold. Her love for cooking and baking was well known and we all enjoyed her delicious homecooked meals, tamales, tortillas, cakes, pies, empanadas, and other desserts. Needless to say, “she was a great cook!”

Jessie was a devout Catholic and an active member of the church. She was one of our Lord’s prayer warriors always taking time throughout every day to meditate on our Lord, say her daily prayers, rosary, Mercy Chaplets for her immediate and extended family, all who requested prayers, and in thanksgiving for answered prayers. Jessie was smart, witty, sharp, and funny. Jessie was a ray of sunshine everywhere she went. Those of us who loved Jessie are blessed to have had her in our lives. We will truly miss her, but know that she will continue interceding for us in heaven.

Jessie is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Manuel Ortega, eldest son Vincent C. Ortega her parents, and many siblings. Jessie is survived by her three loving children: Joe Ortega, Tony Ortega (wife Merna), and daughter Elizabeth Ortega. Her love will continue through her grandchildren: Michael Ortega (wife Roxann), Jennifer Molano (husband Jameson), David Ortega (wife Shari), Emmanuel Ortega, Joshua Ortega, and Kristen Thomas (husband Brandon). Her great-grandchildren, Aria, Leon, Elliann, Cyrus, Layah, Grayson, and Liana will carry forward her legacy of love and faith. She is also survived by many cherished nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at St. Genevieve’s Catholic Church on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. The rosary will begin at 10:00 AM followed by the funeral mass at 10:45 AM followed by Burial Services at 11:30 AM at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 100 S. Espina, Las Cruces, NM.

The family extends their unending gratitude to all the healthcare providers who attended to Jessie: Dr. Louis Benevento, Dr. Constance Wash, Dr. Art Snyder (deceased), Dr. Claudio Perez-Ledesma, Dr. Udit Bhatnagar, Dr. Matthew Newbold, Dr. Daniel Kasuga, Dr. John Reynolds.