Luisa P. Ortiz

Luisa P. Ortiz, age 96, passed away on May 26, 2021 in San Benito, Texas with her family at her bedside. Luisa is one of nine children born to Guadalupe Pizaña and Seferina Nava Pizaña on August 25, 1924 in Riviera, Texas.  Her siblings were Guadalupe, Jose, Teodulea, Reymundo, Manuela, Raul, Juanita and Estephana.

When Santiago and Luisa met it was love at first sight, Santiago noticed Luisa as she prepared to throw the softball from the pitcher’s mound.  He knew instantly that she was the love of his life. Santiago courted Luisa for two years and they then married on January 26, 1942 at St. James Catholic Church in Bishop, Texas.

Santiago and Luisa began their life together and had nine children. They moved to San Benito, Texas in 1961, where they have resided ever since.  In San Benito, Luisa worked in the cafeteria at Fred Booth Elementary and at Vernon Junior High in Harlingen. After several years of service, she retired and volunteered her time visiting with the elderly at a local nursing home.

In 2007, Santiago and Luisa Ortiz were recognized as they celebrated 65 years of marriage. A grand event was held in Brownsville, Texas called Matrimonio Magnífico. As a member of the honorary couple that had been married the longest, Luisa spoke to a ballroom full of couples as she talked about their marriage and gave personal advice to the other 99 couples in attendance.

Luisa always loved cooking, baking, and sewing for her family and friends. She was a pillar at St. Theresa Catholic Church and served her church and community as a Eucharistic minister and as an active member of the Sagrado Corazón for 30 years. She was a prayer warrior for all and her strong faith spoke boldly during prayer meetings.  She loved to sing church hymns, volunteer in church festivals, and help at local nursing homes.

She is survived by her husband of 79 years, Santiago V. Ortiz and her children, Amelia Ortiz, Arturo (Janie) Ortiz, Daniel (Rosa †) Ortiz, Alfredo (Maggie) Ortiz, Abel (Irma †) Ortiz, Mario (Rita) Ortiz, Jimmy Ortiz, and Diana (Jaime) Villarreal; 22 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her son Arnulfo Ortiz; parents, Guadalupe and Seferina N. Pizaña; and daughter-in-laws, Irma C. Ortiz, and Rosa Ortiz.

The Ortiz family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home.  A recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 7 o’clock that evening. (Click the link below to view the Rosary via live-stream.) A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Theresa Catholic Church in San Benito, Texas.  Following the Mass, Luisa will be laid to rest at Mont Meta Memorial Park in San Benito, Texas.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Arturo Ortiz, Daniel Ortiz, Alfredo Ortiz, Abel Ortiz, Mario Ortiz, Jimmy Ortiz, Nicholas Ortiz, and Jason Villarreal.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home, 1400 W. Business 77, San Benito, Texas 78586.  www.sanbenitofuneralhome.com 956.275.3475

It is recommended that guests wear a facial covering while visiting the funeral home.