Juanita Ortega

Juanita (Tina) Ortega, age 85, a longtime resident of Hernandez, NM and twenty-year resident of Tome, NM, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, December 7, 2023.  Tina was preceded in death by her parents Mela and Phil Gallegos, husband Orlando Ortega, daughter Joan Maestas, and grandson Mateo Maestas.

Tina is survived by her daughter Yolanda Jaramillo (Francis); grandchildren Amavalise, Francisco, Orlando, and great grandson Arturo Jaramillo; siblings Margie Gurule, Nelson Gallegos (Pam), Robert Gallegos (Barbara), Charlene Otero, Diana Blandford (Neil), and Richard Gallegos (Dolores).

Tina was a caring and loving mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and a beautiful person inside and out. She loved all her family unconditionally, was an incredible cook, loved to shop, and celebrate life and the holidays. She loved to travel, including trips to The Holy Land, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Portugal, and Las Vegas many times to visit her daughter. Ever with a zest for life and devout to her faith, Tina loved to entertain and spoil and cook for her grandkids, friends, and family.

Rosary will be recited on Friday, December 15, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Santa Cruz, NM, with a mass to follow at 11:00 a.m.. Burial to follow at San Jose Catholic Cemetery in Hernandez, NM.

Serving the family as pallbearers are Dennis Gurule, Jordan Gurule, Pat Boker, Nelson Gallegos, Robert Gallegos, and Steven Ortero. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Niel Blanford and Michael Sanchez.

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