Olga Lilia Ornelas, known as Oly to her family and friends, was born September 7, 1960. She was the fourth of eight children, born to Jose and Celia Ornelas. Olga was a sweet sister who would softly tickle her sisters with cotton balls to help them go to sleep.
Oly attended Clardy Elementary, Henderson Middle School and Thomas Jefferson High School. Oly loved children so it came as no surprise when she attended El Paso Community College and earned an associates degree in early childhood development. Oly went on to work with the El Paso School district and several daycares doing what she enjoyed most - working with children.
Although Oly had no children, she cared for her nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews as if they were her own. Oly loved caring for her nieces (grand) and nephews (grand) and watching them grow. She could often be found taking the kids for a walk, pulling them in a wagon around the block as they enjoyed holiday decorations, taking them to the park and the library, or sitting down with them and reading to them, doing arts and crafts, coloring and practicing their writing, or doing puzzles, playing games, and, of course, using cotton balls to gently tickle them to go to sleep.
Oly loved to go to the movie theater; surprisingly, her favorite were scary movies. She loved to listen to music (particularly 70's) and was an avid writer. Oly was thoughtful and probably one of the few who would still mail birthday and anniversary cards. She enjoyed watching novellas with Mom and Dad and had a wonderful dry sense of humor.
Oly was diagnosed with cancer four years ago. She won that battle and was in remission until 2022, when the cancer returned with a vicious vengeance. On December 9, 2022, Oly suffered a heart attack. EMS and hospital staff brought her back. Oly's family cared for and stayed by her side throughout the week. Oly made small but encouraging improvements as her family prayed that she would be home for Christmas. Oly's Mom fell on December 14, 2022, breaking her hip. So the family tag-teamed, alternated and switched rooms in the hospital to be there with Oly and their mom hoping to get them both home for the holidays. However, the cancer took advantage of Oly's weakened condition and stole her from her family on December 18, 2022, exactly four years after Oly started her fight. Oly fought hard and was surrounded by her siblings till the very end. Strong in his faith, her Dad kissed Oly goodbye and entrusted her to God. And Oly's heart beat for the last time after her Mom gave her a final kiss. While her family is rejoicing that Oly is no longer suffering and is with her Savior, they are heartbroken.
Oly is preceded in death by her big brother, Jose Manuel Ornelas. She is survived by her loving parents, Jose and Celia Ornelas, siblings: Pilar (Tony), Lourdes, Felipe (Raquel),Cecilia (Robert), Celia and Veronica (Dwayne). Left to cherish her memory are all her nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, extended family and friends.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 29, 2022 from 5pm to 8pm with a vigil service to begin at 6:30pm at Funeraria del Angel Central, 3839 Montana Avenue. Funeral mass will be held on Friday, December 30, 2022 at 12:30pm at Our Lady of the Light Church, 4700 Delta. Interment to follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FunerariaDelAngelCentral.com for the Ornelas family.
