MARIA L. ORTEGA,
83, a resident of El Guique, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday, January 17, 2009. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Gregorita Gallegos; husband, Arturo Ortega; son, Robert Ortega and brothers, Dennis and George Gallegos Jr. Maria enjoyed music, gardening, shopping and loved dancing with her husband. She was very active with the senior citizens program and enjoyed spending time with friends. Maria was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her. Mrs.Ortega is survived by her children, Patricia Borrego and Vaudelio and wife, Sally Ortega; sisters, Sarah Archibeque and husband Robert and Magdalene Duran and husband George; grandchildren, Andres Borrego and wife Sharon, Lucas Borrego and wife Melissa, Isaac Ortega and wife Leah, Bradley Ortega, Jonna Ortega and Thomas Acevedo, Melissa Valdez and husband Albino and Amelia Jaramillo Ortega; daughter-in-law, Charlotte Jaramillo; brother-in-law, Antonio Vigil; sister-in-law, Alice Ortega; special people who took care of her, Mary Valdez, Denise Trujillo and the staff of Los Rios Home Health Care and numerous other relatives and friends. Public visitation was on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home with a rosary to be recited at the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Ohkay Owingeh. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 also at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Ohkay Owingeh. Burial followed at the El Guique Catholic Cemetery the following served as pallbearers, Andres Borrego, Isaac Ortega, Lucas Borrego, Albino Valdez, Thomas Acevedo and Estevan Borrego. Honorary pallbearers named are, Melissa Valdez, Jonna Ortega and Amelia Jaramillo Ortega. The Ortega family has entrusted their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477 or www.devargasfuneral.com