Ernestina Ortega, age 99, a resident of Questa, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family, on April 5, 2023. Ernestina was born in Questa, N.M. on Sept. 9, 1923, to Doloritas and Tobias Ortega.
She was preceded in death by her mother Doloritas Gomez Ortega, father Tobias Ortega, Sister Eutimia Ortega Martinez, brothers Efren Ortega, Elizardo Ortega, Loyola Ortega, Alfonso Ortega, Elevinio Ortega, Rubaldo Ortega, and Eladio Ortega.
She is survived by her children Lee (Alice) Ortega, Gloria (Larry) Sanchez, Narciso Ortega, Darlene (Pablo) Archuleta; her grandchildren Donna Lee (James) Vigil, Therese (James) Padilla, Nathan (Tammi) Ortega, Matt (Noreen) Ortega, Ryan (Kelly) Ortega, Narcissa Ortega, Maria (Fabian Romero) Archuleta, Kyle Ortega, and Pablo Archuleta; her great grandchildren Lynell Vigil, James (Claire) Vigil Jr., Stephen (Sarah Fernandez) Ortega, Juan (Marissa Vigil) Vigil, Zachary Padilla, Kevin Lee Ortega, Tobias (Andrea Sanchez) Ortega, Alexis (Jamie Muniz) Padilla, Arianna Ortega, Charlize Ortega, Thiago Padilla, Chenelle Vigil, Abrielle Ortega, Lennox Olivia Ortega; her great-great grandchildren Lilly Vigil, Francisco Vigil, Amor Vigil, Josiah Vigil, Levi Vigil (soon to be born), Drake Ortega, Dakota Ortega, Derek Ortega, and their mother Christain Ortega. She is also survived by her sister Elva Martinez and many nephews and nieces.
Ernestina, also known by many in Questa as Tiotiste or Tina, was an amazing mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother. During her lifetime she worked very hard to provide for her children. She was a housekeeper in Red River, cleaning private homes, cabins and restaurants. She was a waitress, a bartender for the Golden Q, Kiowa, and Four Roses Tavern in Questa and was a custodian for the Questa Post Office. In the 1940s she was a nanny to children in Taos and Cimarron. She also assisted a local midwife in delivering babies in Questa. During her later years, she was a foster grandmother in the Questa Schools, working with many children and teachers.
Rosary was held at St. Anthony’s Church in Questa, Thursday April 13, 2023, at 6 pm and Funeral Mass Friday at St. Anthony’s Church, April 14, 2023, at 10 am, with burial to follow at San Pedro Catholic Cemetery in Questa.
The family would like to extend our warmest appreciation and thanks to Santa Fe Care Center for the great care and love they showed our mother during her last 3 years. She was treated with great love, kindness, and dignity. We also want to thank Ambercare Hospice for the care given to our mom in her last days.
The family of Ernestina Ortega has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home of Taos.
