Estella Marie Ortega

1931-2020 Estella Marie Ortega, age 88, our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, went with our heavenly father peacefully on Sunday, March 29, 2020. She was a longtime resident of Jarales and worked as a cook for the Belen Consolidated Schools. Estella also worked at the Best Western, cleaning hotel rooms and was an employee at Belen Meadows for 10 years. She was married to Estanislado Ortega for 71 years and they had 10 children together and shared a bond like no other. Estella was known for her fancy, unique style, always with her bright lipstick, her cross on her neck and her purse in her hand. She dressed to impress, ready to go where ever the road took her. Estella most likely would end up casino hopping with the ladies or shopping at the malls. She had quit her passion for sewing, crocheting and making fancy munecas. Estella always attended to her family and had fresh food cooking, no matter what time or day it was. Her specialty was beans and chile and fresh papitas. She enjoyed crossword puzzles and the outdoors. Estella was always humming to the beat of her own tune. Her motherly love for all her 10 children was unconditional. She was always surrounded by her grandkids and great-grandkids, which she adored. Estella had a gentle, kind spirit, with a heart of gold. She will be missed tremendously. May her laughter and smiles continue to echo throughout the sky. Rest in peace. We love you. She was preceded in death by her husband, Estanislado Ortega; parents, Petrita and Anselmo Rael; sisters, Maryanne Contreras and Nasarie Vallejos; brothers, Juan Jose, Lupe, Lencho, Elloy, Novard, Sylvester and Anselmo Rael, Jr.; daughter, Lucille Apodaca and Connie Ortega; her son, Michael Ortega and David Jaramillo. Estella is survived by Ignacio and Nellie Ortega; Vidal and Marylou Ortega; Christina Jaramillo; Linda and Robert Benavides; Ernie Ortega; Edward Ortega; Elaine and Victor Williams and Danny and Alexandria Ortega; many, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and her beloved chihuahua, Chico, x 10! A visitation will take place on Thursday, April 2, 2020, from 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM at Romero Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Matthew Ortega, Danny Ortega, Jr., Diego Ortega, Cody Ortega, Danielle Ortega and Tony Jaramillo. The family would like to thank everyone for all the prayers and condolences at this time from the Belen community, family and friends. Sorry to her family in California that cannot make it to NM at this time. Prayers to our world and safety to all. Please sign Estella’s online tribute at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, NM

Estella Marie Ortega

October 4, 1931 - March 29, 2020