Zoraida Ortega

Mrs. Zoraida Ortega, a lifelong resident of Velarde, NM. passed away in Taos, NM. on Monday April 9, 2012 at the age of 94. She is survived by her husband Eulogio Ortega, Son, Albert Ortega (Anna Marie), grandson, Mark Ortega (Sandra), granddaughter, Margaret Crist (Eric) and great granddaughters Arianna and Alyson Crist. She is survived by siblings Eliza Farrar (Roy), Samuel Gutierrez (Isabel), Fidel Gutierrez (Angelina), and Mark Gutierrez. Zoraida was preceded in death by her parents Maria Luz Gutierrez, and Fidel Gutierrez and by her siblings Anita Garcia (Frank), Emma Godfrey (Odie), Ernesto Gutierrez (Margaret), Ageda Middleton (Max), Mary Ancheta (Henry) and Ray Gutierrez (Josephine). Zoraida attended Velarde Mission School and later graduated from McCurdy High School. At McCurdy she played violin in the school orchestra and was a player in the girls basketball team. She always expressed gratitude for the education she received at The Velarde Mission School and McCurdy High School. After high school graduation from McCurdy she attended New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico where she earned a BA degree in Elementary education. She taught school at Velarde Elementary School and retired after 34 years of service. Upon retirement she and her husband Eulogio studied New Mexico Spanish Colonial Art. In later years Zoraida became an award winning weaver and santera. Zoraida painted many of her own retablos and her husband's carved wooden santos. Their work is well known and is now in the homes of many private collectors and museums throughout the country. Their work has been featured in many Southwestern art books and periodicals. After suffering a life threatening illness she had a chapel constructed in honor of Nuestra Senora De Guadalupe as a testament of her faith. She painted the chapels altar screen, which has become a valued addition to the hispanic retablo tradition. The chapel brings visitors from all parts of the country and world. In 1999 Zoraida and Eulogio were honored as living treasures by The Santa Fe Living Treasures Society. A rosary will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Velarde at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday April 11, 2012. The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday morning also at church, followed by interment at The Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe. Serving as pallbearers will be: Danny Farrar, Pete Ortega, Eric Crist, Fred Ancheta,Carlos Ortega and Jose Valdez. Rivera Family Funeral Home of Espanola 753-2288, toll free (800)443-4854 www.riverafamilyfuneralhome.com