Ofelia L Ortega

Ofelia Lanza Ortega, 85, passed away on May 4, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. She was born on September 3, 1934 in Cofradia, Honduras, Central America. Ofelia would remain in Cofradia until the age of 10, when her family would move to Tegucigalpa, Honduras. She would remain in Tegucigalpa until her early 20’s when she decided to leave Honduras for the United States of America.

Ofelia remained in contact with her future husband and love of her life, Victor Manuel Ortega, who remained in Honduras, while she began her new life in America. Ofelia invited Victor to visit her in America, which he did, and shortly after his visit, Victor decided he would move to America to be with Ofelia. Victor and Ofelia were married in 1961 and Ofelia would start her family shortly after getting married and would have two daughters, Ingris and Arleen.

Once arriving in the United States of America, Ofelia would choose Dallas, Texas as her home. Ofelia attended cosmetology school and obtained her cosmetology license before going on to work for The Fairmont Hotel Hair Salon, Foley’s (now Macy’s) Hair Salon and JCPenney’s Hair Salon where she would retire after 30 years of service. Ofelia also loved being involved in her church and her love for singing would eventually lead her to join the church choir where she enjoyed singing during Sunday morning worship service. Ofelia also had a love for all animals as she grew up caring for farm animals in Cofradia, Honduras. Ofelia loved telling stories about how she cared for cows, chickens, horses, goats and donkeys while growing up in Honduras. But once settled in the United States of America and in the city, Ofelia’s choice of pet was a cat.

Ofelia’s family and friends will always remember her for her loving smile, her sweet and generous nature, her love of God, and spending as much time as possible with her family, friends, and any animal willing to let her lovingly pet them. Ofelia loved to tell stories, especially stories of her childhood and her journey and experience of becoming an American citizen and fulfilling the American Dream.

Ofelia is preceded in death by her husband, Victor Manuel Ortega; her son-in-law, Steve M. Luckey; her grandson, Sterling MacKenzie Luckey. Ofelia is survived by daughter, Ingris Melinda Ortega; daughter, Arleen Ortega Luckey; grandson, Morgan Stanley Luckey; grandson, Kennedy Mitchell Luckey.