Tessie Ortega

Tessie Rael Ortega, 82, a lifelong resident of Questa passed away peacefully in her home with her family on September 10, 2005. Mrs. Ortega attended Allison-James Presbyterian School and graduated from Menaul High School in 1942. She received her Associates Degree in Education at Highlands University and taught school for a brief time in the Questa Schools. Mrs. Ortega was also a Foster Grandmother for many years in the Questa Elementary Schools. Tessie was very active in the community her whole life and was Questa's First Lady from 1970-1982. The Village of Questa has chosen to honor her contributions to the community by flying the flags at half mast. Beside her family, she was most proud of her accomplishment of authoring a book in 2003 at the age of 80 titled "Another Time In This Place, La Vida, Culturia Y Historia de Questa". She was preceded in death by her husband Max Ortega, Sr., daughter Betty Ortega and infant daughter Rosemary Ortega, parents J.P. and Esther Rael and sister Maxine Martinez. She is survived by her children Esther Garcia (Eugene), Max Ortega (Monica), Bobby Ortega (Andie) all of Questa and Julie Lucero (Mark) of Albuquerque, grandchildren Myra Garcia of Denver, Kris Rodriguez (Rick) of Ft. Beale Air Force Base, CA, Lori Archuleta (Juan) of Albuquerque, Mark Ortega and, John Anthony Ortega of Questa, Robert Ortega, Jr., Dwayne Ortega and fiancé Feliz Tafoya, Cassandra Ortega all of Questa, Adrian and Lauren Lucero both of Albuquerque, Great-Grandchildren Caitlin Garcia of Denver, Megan and Marissa Archuleta of Albuquerque, Kelsey and Nick Rodriguez of Ft. Beale, CA and Mikaela Ortega of Questa. She is also survived by her brother John Rael (Duby), sister Elsie Piper (Ed) all of Albuquerque, brother-in-law Tom Ortega (Olivia Cortez) of Questa, close extended family members Ben, Elena, Sergio and Natalia Romero of Penasco as well as many beloved nephews, nieces, and many close friends. She will also be missed by her many close primos y primas, hijados y hijadas and by the many Foster grandchildren whom she nurtured as a Foster Grandmother. A Rosary was recited September 12, at St. Anthony's Church in Questa. The Funeral Mass was held on September 13, 2005 at St. Anthony's Church with interment at El Pueblito Cemetery in Questa.