Dora Gladys (Herrera) Ortiz Matthews

Dora was born to Maximo and Maria Herrera on December 15th, 1935 in Loberia, Argentina. She was the younger sister to her brother, Abel. As a teenager Dora was trained to be a seamstress and designer, a talent she utilized all her life. She made her own clothing, even her own wedding dress. She loved making clothing for her children.

Dora married Godofredo Antonio Ortiz on November 17th, 1954 in Loberia, Argentina. Godofredo was known as Tony, because no one in the US could pronounce his name (lol). Dora met Tony as she was strolling down the street window shopping. Godofredo was driving by, saw her, threw his car in reverse, and started a conversation with her as she kept strolling. Obviously, she was charmed. They fell in love and had a baby boy, Eduardo Mario Ortiz, born in Mar del Plata, Argentina. Turmoil in Argentina caused Dora and Tony to move to the US, landing them in Washington, DC. There, they rented an apartment near the DC Zoo and had their first daughter, Sandra Judith Ortiz. From there they purchased their forever home in Silver Spring, Maryland, and later, Viviana Marisa Ortiz was born.

No matter matter how many years of living in the US, Dora never forgot her roots or her family. She stayed in frequent contact, and even sent financial support to a beloved aunt for many years. She traveled back to Argentina every opportunity she got.

After settling down in Silver Spring and the children were in school, Dora began working at Danneman's Fabric Store, continuing her love of sewing and crafting. Dora was always very motivated, always wanting to better herself and family. She decided to go to night school and earn her High School Diploma. She spent many nights after dinner working on her assignments. When she ran into roadblocks, Tony would help her, mostly with math assignments. As she struggled with an equation, Tony would show her a different way of solving the problem and it always made sense to her. After earning her diploma, she then went on to work at Hecht’s Department Store, working in women's high-end wear. She loved fashion, and working there, it allowed her to take great care in her appearance. After many years she was able to retire from Hecht’s.

Besides sewing and crafting, Dora was a wonderful cook and enjoyed serving her wonderful creations of which she took great pride, especially during celebrations. Her empanadas will greatly be missed! Dora also loved to dance. For many years, she and Tony went to Blob’s Park, a German dance hall, every Saturday night to polka along with Margita and Hans Wagner, dear friends from the neighborhood. When Tony’s health slowed them down, they took to dancing the Tango in the dance studio Tony created for his dance loving daughters, in the basement of their home.

Dora was blessed to become a grandmother four times over. She is survived by Eduardo’s daughter Chelsea Rose Ortiz, and Sandra’s children, Tyler Jared Cantrell, Justin Alexander Cantrell, Christina Marie Cantrell, and Jesse Daniel Ortiz-Stojeba. There is no love that can compare to the love Dora had for her grandchildren. She truly loved them all. She was proud of each one them, for the uniqueness that each possess, and loved recounting stories about them.

Dora was preceded to heaven by Tony, after his fifteen-year-long battle with cancer on March 4th,1996. She too, fought right alongside him. Then many years later by her first great-grandson, Mickey Maximus Cantrell and then, Rocky Harrisson Cantrell, both sons of her grandson, Justin.

Lucky for Dora, she would find love again -- Of all people, Dora fell in love with her daughter Viviana’s husband’s father (think about it) Stephen Matthews. Theirs was a whirlwind romance. They were wed on April 1st, 1998. Steve adored Dora and was involved with her passion for gardening after retirement from Hecht’s. So much so, that Steve built Dora a beautiful pergola in the back yard of their home. They spent many hours gardening together, talking, laughing, and watching the squirrels that Steve would feed. They were so "cutesy" together, like young teenagers in love. Steve called Dora “wifey”, and she loved cooking and caring for him. Steve and Dora were able to enjoy many travels together. They took wonderful cruises and saw the world, something that a young Dora from Argentina could only have ever dreamed of.

Dora’s later life included great involvement with the Rockville Senior Center. There, she choreographed and performed dance routines in costumes she designed and even hand painted for Center events. She was also involved with quilting, embroidery and fund raiser work. Her embroidery skills took her the the Agricultural Fair in Gaithersburg where she won first place!

Dora is a kind, loving person who loves serving others. She will be dearly missed.

Lovingly written by her daughter Sandra Ortiz-Stojeba.