Elsie
Elsie Miranda
d. September 5, 2015
Elsie Ortega Miranda, age 94, died peacefully at her home in Fairview, New Mexico on September 5, 2015. She was born June 12, 1921 in Chimayo to Apolonia Martinez and Juan Melquiades Ortega.
Elsie was preceded in death by her parents and by sisters Adonaisa, Benigna (Nina), Esther, Eustolia (Eustie), Lourdes, and Lucille (infant), and by brothers Ambrosio (died at age 4), Juanito (infant) and Ismael.
She is survived by her son Monte (Bonnie), her daughter Annalisa, her brother Ambrosio J. Ortega (Eva) of Albuquerque, and brothers-in-law Clovis J. Romero of Embudo and Enoch A. Rodriguez of Belen. She is also survived by her grandchildren Desiree (Rico), Michelle and Mario, great-grandchildren Nyana, Brianna and Jazmine, beloved “comadre” Irene R. Vigil, and dear friend David Loren Bass, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends too numerous to name but not forgotten.
Elsie received her compulsory education at John Hyson School in Chimayo, Allison James School in Santa Fe, and Manaul School in Albuquerque. She graduated from Regina School of Nursing in Albuquerque with an R.N. in 1945, and later earned a B.S. from the College of Santa Fe.
Elsie worked as a registered nurse for 50 years, caring for others both personally and professionally. As a student during WWII, she was a member of the Nurse Cadet Corps. Elsie began her nursing career in 1945 in Manhattan Project-era Los Alamos. Following this service, she practiced pediatric nursing, her first love, as well as school and public health nursing. Elsie returned to Los Alamos during the last 20 years of her career and retired from LANL.
She was a faithful member of El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church (PC U.S.A) in Chimayo and served the church as both an ordained deacon and elder.
A person of bold intelligence, wit and humor, Elsie was renowned for her energy, generosity and work ethic. She had no patience for prejudice, bigotry or elitism in any form. Elsie’s personality defied all labels. It was not unusual for someone to approach her in a store or restaurant, greet her affectionately, and say, “This woman saved my life.”
Elsie’s family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 6:30 pm on Friday, September 11, 2015 at DeVargas Funeral Home in Espanola. A devotional service will follow at 6:30 pm. A funeral service will take place at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 12, 2015, also at DeVargas Funeral Home.
In Elsie’s memory, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, PO BOX 185, Chimayo, NM 87522. The family of Elsie Ortega Miranda has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477 – www.devargasfuneral.com
Elsie was preceded in death by her parents and by sisters Adonaisa, Benigna (Nina), Esther, Eustolia (Eustie), Lourdes, and Lucille (infant), and by brothers Ambrosio (died at age 4), Juanito (infant) and Ismael.
She is survived by her son Monte (Bonnie), her daughter Annalisa, her brother Ambrosio J. Ortega (Eva) of Albuquerque, and brothers-in-law Clovis J. Romero of Embudo and Enoch A. Rodriguez of Belen. She is also survived by her grandchildren Desiree (Rico), Michelle and Mario, great-grandchildren Nyana, Brianna and Jazmine, beloved “comadre” Irene R. Vigil, and dear friend David Loren Bass, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends too numerous to name but not forgotten.
Elsie received her compulsory education at John Hyson School in Chimayo, Allison James School in Santa Fe, and Manaul School in Albuquerque. She graduated from Regina School of Nursing in Albuquerque with an R.N. in 1945, and later earned a B.S. from the College of Santa Fe.
Elsie worked as a registered nurse for 50 years, caring for others both personally and professionally. As a student during WWII, she was a member of the Nurse Cadet Corps. Elsie began her nursing career in 1945 in Manhattan Project-era Los Alamos. Following this service, she practiced pediatric nursing, her first love, as well as school and public health nursing. Elsie returned to Los Alamos during the last 20 years of her career and retired from LANL.
She was a faithful member of El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church (PC U.S.A) in Chimayo and served the church as both an ordained deacon and elder.
A person of bold intelligence, wit and humor, Elsie was renowned for her energy, generosity and work ethic. She had no patience for prejudice, bigotry or elitism in any form. Elsie’s personality defied all labels. It was not unusual for someone to approach her in a store or restaurant, greet her affectionately, and say, “This woman saved my life.”
Elsie’s family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 6:30 pm on Friday, September 11, 2015 at DeVargas Funeral Home in Espanola. A devotional service will follow at 6:30 pm. A funeral service will take place at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 12, 2015, also at DeVargas Funeral Home.
In Elsie’s memory, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church, PO BOX 185, Chimayo, NM 87522. The family of Elsie Ortega Miranda has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477 – www.devargasfuneral.com
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