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Denise Teresa Ortiz, age 59, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 21, 2018. She was such a beautiful, giving and loving daughter, sister, tia, and friend. She embraced all of us with her intelligence, dignity, grace and love. She was definitely her father’s daughter because from a young age he taught us to appreciate the outdoors. Every summer we would go fishing and camping, which Denise continued on.
She graduated from Miami High School Class of 1977, started working at age 17 for the phone company as a telephone operator. When Denise and her twin sister, Bernice moved to Flagstaff to attend NAU, she found she didn’t like the cold weather and transferred to Phoenix, retiring from Mountain Bell after 10 years. She was hired on with the Postal Service, and completed her education at ASU with a bachelor’s in business management.
She was a dedicated career woman, often taking detailed assignments with the Post Office, as acting Postmaster in Ehrinburg, Ariz., and Eager, Ariz. She would invite her sisters, and nephews to Eager to go fishing or hiking. She was a dedicated union representative for most of her postal career, and assisted many employees with union cases.
She wasn’t ready to retire at 29 years, she wanted to get her 30 years, but cancer robbed her of that. Denise was a prayer warrior, kept her sufferings undercover and offered up her troubles to his Divine Will. She was devoted to the Divine Mercy, praying the chaplet daily and devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her positive and jovial attitude helped her through the pain and enduring trials. She was a ray of hope, during these times of no hope, she truly reflected Christ’s presence, and not to forget that life is so worthy of living amidst so much suffering, every moment matters. She was sign of hope and joy. Her favorite saying was “Be a You tiful, have a beautiful day!”
She was a true pilgrim, traveling on three pilgrimages, going to Lourdes, Fatima, Rome, Italy, Spain, and Poland, to see the Divine Mercy. She was a talented photographer, gifted fire starter for all our campouts, and loved the game of football, deep down, she loved the Arizona Cardinals, she actually worked the stadium in the early days of the football team coming here. She enjoyed working on puzzles, crocheting, cooking, playing guitar and reading, especially Agatha Christie.
She is predeceased by her beautiful parents, Ben and Cora Ortiz; brother, Alfred S. Ortiz, Sr. She is survived by her twin sister, Bernice, and younger sister, Cecilia, and older brother Beny. She also leaves behind her three nephews, Tim, wife Zina; Alfred, wife Missy, and Dominic Merrill; grandnephews, Alec, Stephen, Danny, Paul and James; grandnieces, Alexis, Bailee, Nicole, and Darling who was a true joy to her heart.
She absolutely enjoyed being with family. She leaves behind many friends, and her little bestie, Sophie, pet companion. She was always ready for a trip, and ready for adventure with friends and family. Those who knew Denise (Deni) will miss her quick wit, sense of humor and her absolutely perfect Spanish rice (Sopa de Arroz). She wanted to go across the country spreading the gospel and giving thanks for her brain tumor miraculously disappearing and call the traveling caravan “Gospel Girls.” The family would like to thank everyone for their love and support. Denise lived a rich, faithful and amazing life. She will be forever loved and forever missed. Services were arranged through Queen of Heaven Catholic Funeral Home, Mesa, Ariz. Donations can be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E.
Flower St., Phoenix, Ariz. 85014. Condolences may be made at www.qohcfh.org.
Arrangements entrusted to Queen of Heaven Catholic Funeral Home, Mesa, Ariz.
