Deana Ortiz

On Tuesday, December 1, 2020, Deana Gilberta Ortiz, life-time resident of Nambé, New Mexico, passed away at the age of 51.

Deana was born on April 2, 1969 in Santa Fe, NM to Gilbert R. Ortiz and Emilie Barrone Ortiz. She graduated from St. Michael’s High School in Santa Fe where she maintained cherished relationships with so many. She attended the University of Oklahoma where she studied Fine Art. She worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Ortiz Transportation and was a full-time caregiver to her father Gilbert. She raised a strong, intelligent and caring son Orion Enrique Daniel, who cared for Deana during her 2 and a half year battle with cancer.

Deana was a dedicated mother first and foremost.  She embraced every moment with her son, Orion “Kiki”. She also treasured each moment spent with her beloved family.

Deana had a vivacious personality which made people laugh and enabled her to make friends wherever she’d go.  Deana made sure each person with whom she came in contact knew how much he or she meant to her We often affectionately referred to her as Ms. Congeniality as she was a social butterfly.

Deana’s hands were rarely still as she loved to prepare visually stunning dishes, arrange fresh cut bouquets of flowers, and tend to her heirloom seed chile garden.

As an award winning artist, Deana had a love affair with the color and shapes of life that could not be described with words; so she painted, created prints, and lithographs. The layered landscape of her journey became her canvas – watercolor cliffs, vibrant chiles, muted adobe, and modern interpretations of the historic surroundings of Northern New Mexico. Tapestried emotions that dazzled her world were captured in moments that she shared with others through her art.

A woman of strong faith, Deana was a devoted Catholic and respected all religions. Deana’s unwavering compassion became her promise to do right, be kind, and help others. May we find the courage within ourselves to share the extraordinary gift of the human heart, be of service to others, and fight the good fight.

As Deana would say “Con Safos”.

Deana was preceded in death by her father, Gilbert, and her mother, Emilie. She is survived by her son Orion, her sisters Christianna and Bianca, brother-in-law John Wertheim. Nephew Christopher and niece Christianna. Loving aunties, uncles, cousins and friends who are family.

Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, a funeral service and celebration of life will be announced at a later date. Deana’s son proudly cared for her immediately following his high school graduation. Based on this experience, he is interested in pursuing a degree in nursing.

Deana's family would like to thank everyone for the outpouring love and prayers during this difficult time

The family of Deana Gilberta Ortiz has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley. 505-747-7477-www.devargasfuneral.com