Carmelita Ortiz

On March 21, 1939, this world was blessed with one of God's own angels. Carmelita was born in Oakland, California with a love of life, family and music. She grew up in San Francisco with her parents, three sisters and two brothers and soon found a passion for football and her hometown team the 49ers. Through her mother she began her faith in God and the Catholic Church. She attended Immaculate Conception Academy, a school that she remained devoted to long after her graduation. Carmelita and Tony Ortiz were married in San Francisco on May 7, 1960. Their family began with their children; Cathy, Mike and Rose, all born in their mother's hometown. They moved to Cottonwood where they made a new home surrounded by family and the lifelong friends they made throughout the years. Carmelita was very active in and devoted to the Immaculate Conception Church where she organized a youth choir and in later years led the first guitar choir. She was also the director and was the director of the Spanish choir. It brought her great joy and peace to share her faith with the congregation and to create beautiful music praising God. She taught catechism to the parish's youth, including our own Father Bud. She was a lector and a Eucharistic Minister. Carmelita was a beautiful, strong woman who celebrated life every day. She loved to decorate her home for the holidays. She laughed, danced, sang, and smiled every chance she got. She loved to be surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and instilled in all of them the importance of family, love and living life to its fullest. With a smile, touch, sigh, gesture or the wise words of an angelic soul she touched every life she came across. It was not possible to know Carmelita and not love her. Everyone who knew her was better because of it. On December 20, God called Carmelita home. After a courageous fight against Scleroderma she went peacefully with her Father to heaven. We will forever be grateful to God for allowing us the privilege of sharing His angel. Carmelita is survived by her husband, Tony; her children, Cathy with her husband Mike L., Mike with his wife Debbie, and Rose with her husband Jeff; her grandchildren, Dianna, Angel, Jesus, Tara, Brett, Curtis, Wade, Brie, Allie and Ashley; her great-grandchildren, Amber, James and Emmy; her sisters, Juanita M., Irene and Juanita C.; and her brother, Angel. She is preceded in death by her parents; Camila and Angel; her brother, Jesus; and her son-in-law, Mike Yorba. A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, December 28, 2007 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 11:00am with Graveside Services to follow. A reception at the Moose Hall in Clarkdale will then be held. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Scleroderma Foundation, Attn: Donations, 300 Rosewood Drive, Suite 105, Danvers, MA 01923 or online at www.scleroderma.org. Thank you from the Ortiz Family for everyone's thoughts, prayers and generosity. An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com