Lydia C. Ortiz

Harlingen- After a brief illness our sweet mother, grandmother, and now angel was received into the kingdom of God early Saturday morning on October 8th in her home surrounded by her loving family. She was 89.

Lydia was born in Dallas, Texas, the only child of Adela and Benito Castro and the younger sister of Lucy. After her mother passed when she was a toddler her family grew to include 5 half-brothers and 3 half-sisters. After her marrying her love, Ramon Ortiz, they settled in Harlingen and had 5 children. Lydia dedicated her life to her children. At the age of 43, she was widowed and became the pillar of her family. She was then privileged with raising her grandchildren, Eliza and Tony, who also called her Mom. Grandma loved to do word search puzzles, sew and draw. She was the neighborhood seamstress, prayer warrior, and mother. Despite only having an elementary education, she would assist women in her neighborhood to deliver their babies during home births. She fed anyone who walked through the door. Her specialties were mole, atole and rice. Everyone let with a stomach full of the most delicious food and their hearts full of love. After hurricane Dolly, she was gifted with her loyal dog Cujo, who already misses her dearly. Although we were not prepared for her sudden illness and departing, we understand there is never a perfect time to part ways with your source of strength and love. Grandma, we love you and hope we have made you proud. We will always carry your love, advice and tender jokes near to our hearts. Your legacy will continue in the love we show each other every day; offering forgiveness and tenderness just life you did, always.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her daughter Yolanda and her great-grandson Homer De La Garza III. She is survived by her children Raymond Ortiz Jr. (Anita), Mary Lou Perez (Joe), Rosalinda Fernandez (Robert), Ruben Ortiz, Tony Ortiz (Alanna), and Eliza Moreno, 15 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Monday, October 10 from 1-9pm with a holy rosary at 7pm at Funeraria del Angel in Harlingen. Funeral service will be held Tuesday October 11 at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church in Harlingen. Interment will follow at Ashland Memorial Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Victor Ortiz, Raymond Ortiz III, Tony Ortiz, Joe Perez Jr., Robert Lee Fernandez and Juan Ortiz. Serving as honorary pallbearer is Culberto Ortiz.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in her medical care; Dr. Diana Lozano, the nursing staff at Harlingen Medical Center, Safe Haven Hospice, the Castro Family (Annie, Norma and Blanca), Patty Escamilla-Palermo and Maritza Perez. Thank you to everyone who offered prayers, support and love in our time of mourning.

Arrangements under the direction of Funeraria del Angel, Harlingen, TX.