Lupe Ortiz, beloved, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away August 7, 2024 after a brief but brave fight with cancer. She was 92 years old and within her diminutive frame beat a strong heart filled with love and faith.
She could be easily overlooked and underestimated due to her tiny stature, but she was so very strong and resilient; an inspiration for those who knew her. Never boastful, always friendly and generous and so much fun to be around, quick with a smile or wry quip, and always ready to offer you fresh-made chile, beans or tortillas. And if she had pan dulce on hand she'd offer that too.
Each morning you could find her in the kitchen, (Rocking her tiny apron!) as her slender fingers worked the tejolote, mashing fresh peppers, onion, garlic and tomatoes in her worn-smooth mocajete. Her home perpetually smelled of fresh ground peppers, garlic and onion. Everyone that entered her home was instantly, "Mija" or "Mijo." She was the quintessential Latina mother, everyone was he child.
Mostly though her love centered on her family. She and Joe were happily married for 70 years and she was fiercely devoted to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren as well as to her nieces and nephews. And while her parents were living, she and her sisters would bring their families together every Sunday to share meals and let the nieces and nephews get to know each other over games of Red Light, Green Light, Mother May I, and Simon Says.
Her overflowing love and generosity was shared at work too with co-workers and the many children she encouraged during her 19-year tenure at Jefferson Methodist Daycare where she provided day care services for hundreds of kids.
So much love. That was Lupe, she constantly shared and spread love and faith with everyone she met.
Her tiny home and tiny body were in deep contrast to the magnitude of love and strength that propelled her each day. Such strength enabled her to outlive many of her loved ones. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe S. Ortiz, her parents, Hesiquio Limon and Maria Vasquez; beloved younger sisters, Carmen Castano and Maria Luisa Puente and beloved son, Joe Armando Ortiz.
She is survived by her daughters Rosie Banuelos and Gracie Ortiz; grandchildren, Danielle Banuelos, Alexis Banuelos, Sara Mendoza, Stephanie Mendoza, Eddie Mendoza, and Joey Ortiz (Priscilla Loftus); great-grandchildren, Zoe Athena, Joe Daniel, Isabelle, Jonathan and Armando.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, from 9 a.m. to noon at Castillo Funeral Home, 520 N. General McMullen, San Antonio, Texas, 78228.
A procession will depart from Castillo Funeral Home at 12:15pm the same afternoon to St. Paul's Catholic Church, 350 Sutton Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78228 where Mass will be celebrated at 1p.m. followed by a procession to the burial service at San Fernando Cemetery II beginning at 2:30 p.m.