Our beautiful matriarch, Teresa De Jesus Ortiz Portillo, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2024 after a journey with breast cancer. As a 24 year cancer survivor, she battled the second round similarly with courage and grace. Her unwavering love, kindness, and compassion was always felt by all.
Teresa was born on Feb 1, 1947 to Manuel and Marcelina Portillo in El Pueblito, Chihuahua, Mexico. After her adolescent years in Juarez, Mexico, she married the love of her life, Aniceto Ortiz, and made a life-changing decision to start anew in El Paso, Texas. She spent the majority of her remaining years in northeast El Paso raising a family of five boys.
Into retirement, Teresa fully immersed herself in building a loving and welcoming home. She had interests in cooking delicious dishes, focused herself in the art of knitting intricate patterns, and her delicate collection of figurines, all which infused aromas, color, and texture to the essence of La Casa Ortiz. She enjoyed her novelas, listening to music, singing out loud while cleaning house, and above all else, being surrounded by family and friends.
Teresa is predeceased by her parents, Manuel and Marcelina Portillo, her brother Armando Luján (Amada), and her sons, Victor M. and Ricardo Ortiz.
Teresa is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Aniceto Ortiz, and her sons, Fred (Cindy), Cesar, and Christian Ortiz, her loving sisters, Martha Arvizu, Guadalupe Perez (Raul), sixteen grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, extended family and friends.
A celebration of life for Teresa will be held Wednesday, May 29, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with Rosary at 7:00 PM, at Funeraria del Angel Restlawn, 8817 Dyer Street, El Paso, Texas 79904. Funeral Mass will be Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 9025 Diana D.r, El Paso, Texas 79904. Graveside Service will follow at 2:00 PM at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, 8700 Dyer Street, El Paso, Texas 79904.
