Josie L. Ortiz

Josie Ortiz, age 83, went to be with her Lord the morning of June 13, 2017 at home in Barstow, California surrounded by her loving family. Josie was born on February 14, 1934 in St. John, Arizona. Josie Lucero married Antonio Ortiz in 1957 in California, where they began their large family legacy. Josie was a devoted mother of eight, she was an avid reader and touched many lives as a teacher at Thompson and Hinkley Elementary schools, in her retirement she was committed to serving at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, she had an adventurous spirit which took her to Europe, the Caribbean and beyond, she also enjoyed spending time with her friends at the Senior Center and, of course, countless gatherings with her large cherished family. Josie is preceded in death by her parents Faustin and Rose Lucero, her husband Antonio Ortiz, her sons Raul, Antonio, Eugene, and Mark, her daughter Rebecca, her son-in-law Randy Montaño, and her grandchildren Jessica and Felipe. She is survived by her beloved daughters Ramona, Rachel, and Pauline, sister Virginia Casper, twenty-four cherished grandchildren, thirty-five adored great-grandchildren, and three treasured great-great-grandchildren, numerous nephews and nieces, and her beloved comadre Pat Archibeque. Services to honor the life of Josie Ortiz will be held June 22, 2017 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Barstow. Josie’s viewing will begin at 9am, Rosary at 10am, and Mass at 11am. Her burial will follow at a later date. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Josie’s Hospice Nurses: Heather, Ginny, Monique, Gloria, and Erica. We truly appreciate your kind service to our cherished mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother – she was the cornerstone of our family and will be profoundly missed.