Hortensia Gomez Ortiz, born on July 27, 1925, to Rafael Ruiz Gomez and Dolores Rodriguez, and passed away February 23, 2022, at 96 years of age. She was born in Tucson, Arizona and completed her education in Phoenix. After graduating from high school, she enrolled in secretarial school at Phoenix College where she graduated with honors in 1947.
She married Leo G. Ortiz who worked for a trucking company and started a family. After secretarial school, she worked for the Phoenix Police Department as a dispatcher and from there she went on to work at the Legislature in both houses. She became a secretary for Senator Osborne for over 20 years and retired from that position in 1995.
During her retirement years, she and her husband traveled the world. He passed away in 1998. In 2013 she married Danny Valdivia who died in 2015. She became very active in the Hispanic history of Phoenix, St. Vincent de Paul charitable programs and belonged to LULAC and Chicanos Por La Cousa. She was featured in a PBS special showcasing Hispanic heritage in Phoenix geared towards Post 41 which was a social outlet for the Phoenix community.
She was the eldest of 11 brothers and sisters, 2 of which are still alive: Raul R. Gomez and Elda G. Islas.
She is also survived by her only son, Leo Paul Ortiz and one daughter, Lupita M. Terrazas (Diana) and 11 grandchildren.
A visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 3550 E Knox Road, Phoenix. Burial to follow St. Francis Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations are suggested to be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street – Bldg. 2, Phoenix, Arizona 85014.
Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com
Posey Moore Nash
I vividly recall seeing the PBS show that featured your humble, but accomplished mother.
What a fine example she was….may she rest in peace. My condolences.
MARI L ALVARADO
On behalf of LULAC Council #1083, our condolences to the family.
Carlos Mata
We will always remember you Nana
Janice Ertl
We so enjoyed Hortensia volunteering with us at St. Vincent de Paul Clinic. It was fun having known her and seeing her featured in the PBS specials on Arizona history. May God surround you with his light and love.
Marcy
You will be missed dearly beautiful lady. Glad I was able to see you one more time before you left us. I will always cherish the beautiful memories we all made as a family and our talks about fashion. Love you always, Marcy & kids
Ron and Laura Rohlfing
What an amazing woman, and what an incredible life! May she rest in peace…
Bob Ortiz
Leo Paul and family, my condolences on the passing of Hortencia. She was a very kind and loving aunt to me and my family. God bless you all