Mary Therese Ortiz

Ortiz, Mary Therese 

 

On Friday, December 19, 2020, Heaven got another redheaded Angel, Mary Therese Ortiz; born in Snyder, TX on August 11, the fourth of four children born to the union of E. Eloy Ortiz and Monica S. Ortiz. 

 

Mary was preceded in death by her father, E. Eloy Ortiz; her older brother, Larry J Ortiz; her maternal and paternal grandparents. She is survived by her mother, Monica S. Ortiz; older sisters, Marquita B. Ortiz and Elizabeth O. Palmer, MD; two beautiful nieces: Madeleine and Brooke Palmer; as well as her godmother, Susie Gonzales. 

 

Mary graduated from Del Norte High School and chose to pursue a career as a registered nurse. She graduated from UNM – Albuquerque in 1989 and immediately was hired as a Baccalaureate Registered Nurse at the Veteran’s Hospital in Albuquerque, NM. She worked 18 years before an on-the-job injury caused an early retirement. 

 

Mary was a dedicated nurse for numerous veterans, high level officers to entry level military patients. She treated all alike and loved to give of herself to others. She was an accomplished nurse and had numerous coworkers that became friends and she could put others at ease and documented their medical needs and history with dedication. 

 

Although Mary was born in Texas, she was the closest to being a "true New Mexican." As a toddler, she followed her Father as he tended his large garden. Among his plants, were his pride and joy plants, New Mexico Hatch green chili, grown from seeds. Our Father discovered these prize chilis afflicted with an unidentified "disease," the tips were missing and dried out. For the life of him, he couldn't find what was damaging his chili plants. One evening Mary (age 3 years old) was observed wearing her elder brother's football uniform following Dad in his garden. She would stoop down (out of sight) and bite the tips off the Hatch green chilis while leaving the plant and chili intact. The case of the tipless chilis was solved. Mary later became a good cook and her specialty was both red and green chili. She made all dishes she could that included chili, especially red.

 

Mary took pride in her work and care of "her Veterans." Being a "people person" made her skilled at putting her patients at ease. Her forte was starting painless IV's and patient charting. She believed if it wasn't documented, it never happened. Mary loved her patients so much, as they reminded her of her Father, who had been hospitalized there post World War II. It was also the place where her Father met the red-head that became her Mother, Monica Salas.

 

Most recently Mary had been hospitalized with severe stomach pain that necessitated emergency surgery. She appeared to be doing well, but took a turn for the worse on December 19, 2020. She fought so hard to survive, but was called to Heaven in time for Christmas to be with Baby Jesus. Mary is and will continue to be missed by all she met and befriended.

 

Due to COVID-19, only immediate family will be allowed to attend a private ceremony. At a later date, post COVID-19, a Celebration of Life will be planned and announced.

 

Daniels Family Funeral Services

3113 Carlisle Blvd NE

Albuquerque, NM 87110

505-884-1188