Virginia and Francisco "Los Honies" Ortiz

Beloved sister, special mother, and loving wife, Virginia Ortiz was born October 28, 1947 and passed away at the age of 72 on Wednesday, February 19, 2020. Loving brother, compassionate father, and amazing husband was born on July 25, 1942 and passed away at the age of 77 on Sunday, March 1, 2020. Virginia and Francisco met on January 10, 1964 but their paths took them in separate directions for several years until they were reunited and married on January 21, 1968. Married for 52 years but together for 53 years, Virginia and Francisco shared a love that transcended beyond their lifetime. During their time on this earth they created a beautiful life that was centered around family, faith and selflessness. They are survived by their 4 strong and amazing daughters, 4 sons-in-law, 7 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild and countless people who will never forget the love and generosity both Virginia and Francisco shared with everyone they met. They will forever live in our hearts.

Los Honeys, Francisco and Virginia Ortiz

You may have known them as Tio & Tia, Don Frank y Dona Vicky, Pancho y Kiny. To me they were Frankie and Nana. No matter how you knew them, the one thing everyone could agree on, is that they were the most selfless people you could encounter. Whether it was providing a home and food for people or sharing their wisdom, those two were always looking out for everyone and trying to help anyone they crossed paths with, in any way possible. Their home was always full of people because they had this aura about them that made people just want to be around them, especially my Nana. A couple days after my Nana passed, their neighbor Joseph came over to pay his respects and talk to Frankie. He had nothing but kind things but the thing that stood out to me the most is that he said “The world is a better place because of the two of you” and I think everyone could agree with that. To know them and have them in your life was a true blessing because there will never be another pair like them.

My nana was a charmer. She made friends with everyone she met, wherever she went. From the server at the restaurant to the nail tech at the salon, to the most random person walking down the street, she made friends with everyone and knew everyone. Wherever we’d go you’d hear her say “Ella es mi amiga” or “A el yo conozco” and she really did know them, but more importantly, they knew her. She wasn’t known because she was a wealthy woman of stature; you wouldn’t see her name on lists of VIPs or politicians. She was known because of her heart, because of all the good she did for others. She connected with other people in a way that no one else could, because she was genuine and pure in her intentions to help in any way she could. I know for a fact that I inherited my bleeding heart from her, and I am proud to not only be her namesake but to share the love of serving others with her. Not only was that Lady, as her daughters like to refer to her as, not only was that lady kind and generous, she was also as sassy and free-spirited as they come. She was all about her hair, make-up, clothes and accessories. She started her mornings at the family table with her mirror and make-up and made sure she started her day feeling beautiful. I remember always playing with her make-up when I stayed with her and Frankie during summer and winter vacations. Me and Angel would always play with her make-up and dress-up in whatever fashion pieces she had at the time. She was literally the life of the party any day of the week, even on a random Tuesday, but it was because she loved who she was, and she loved herself unapologetically. I think that’s why so many people were drawn to her, and that is why so many people will carry her in their hearts forever. I know that’s why she captured my Frankie’s heart from the moment he met her.

If God created a perfect partner for my Nana, it was Frankie. He loved that woman just the way she was, sassy and strong-willed. He went along with every cheeky idea she came up with, even picking up and moving to Yuma about 30 years ago. Frankie was a hardworking man who loved his family very much. He was a provider and a protector. He had funny ways of showing his love for his family, whether it be through silly songs, by telling very cheesy dad jokes, by almost crushing your hand by squeezing it so tight, or by the way he would talk to us about life and the importance of being good people and loving God. No one could ever doubt the love he had for his family, especially the love he had for his Dona. Being the free-spirited person that my Nana was, sometimes we didn’t understand all of her choices but Frankie would always tell us to be patient with her and that everything would be okay. He always protected and defended his Dona. Things were not always easy, but he never stopped working hard, he

never stopped providing for his family, and most importantly, he never lost his faith in God. Even when

we first found out about his cancer, when I asked him how he felt and if he was scared, he said “Why

should I be scared? I believe God will take care of me, and all we can do is pray and keep our faith in

him.” His faith stayed with him through the very end. I think the two things he passed down to his

daughters and grandkids was his strong faith and his strong love of coffee. I have been drinking coffee

since before I can even remember. I think my first memory of finishing his cup of coffee was around

preschool. I remember seeing my brothers and all of my younger cousins doing the same when they

were little. No one could ever tell him not to give us coffee because it was sort of a rite of passage in his

home. When Frankie got sick and couldn’t make his own coffee anymore, no one seemed to get the

recipe right and if he tried a cup that he didn’t like then he would ask who made it because he wanted

to make sure they were banned from using the coffee pot. And even though they may have followed his

instructions to a T, I think the reason we all loved his coffee so much was because he truly made it with

love. Who would have thought that something as simple as a cup of coffee could have so much meaning

to our family? The thing I am going to miss most about my Frankie, aside from him always calling me by

different sweet pet names, is going to be his farewell blessings. Whether I was leaving the house for

work when I lived there, or when I was headed back to California he always took my head in his hands,

looked me in the eyes as he pressed his forehead against mine and would say “Be careful mijita, don’t

drive fast. I love you and God bless you” He did this with all of his kids and grandkids. Every time. The

last words he said were to his daughters and he told them “God Bless You”. So when Paloma told him

“God Bless You Daddy” right before he took his last breath, it seemed only right to send him off with the

farewell blessing that he always gave us.

Even as I stand here and witness the sendoff for these two people that were loved and respected by so

many others, it is hard for me to believe that they are both gone, and that they both left this earth

within a short timeframe. At the same time, the simple fact that they could not survive this earth

without each other just speaks volumes of the love they had for each other. They were united as one in

the holy sacrament of marriage decades ago, and now they will be united as one as they enjoy eternal

life together in heaven. Their love was so strong that not even death could keep them apart for long.

When Frankie and my Nana first met, they knew each other for a day before my Nana left and life

separated them. It wasn’t until years later that they reunited because Frankie went in search for her and

then they started their love story. Just as their story began, it ended very similarly. My Nana led the way

and Frankie followed right behind her. I hope that everyone here will have the opportunity to

experience a love and connection as deep as theirs.

I love you Nana, I love you Frankie. Watch over us from Heaven, and may God continue to bless you

forever.

-Chu-Cha