Ortega, Julia

Julia Ortega

Services: Have been held.

Julia Ortega, 74, of Portales, died Wednesday, March 17, 2004, at her home.

She was born on Jan. 1, 1930, in Derramadero, to Rita and Miguel Garcia.

She grew up in the Encino/Derramadero area, where she attended school. She married Chris Ortega on Oct. 1, 1949, in Clovis. She and her husband began working at R.M. James Elementary School in 1962, and continued working there for many years. Family members said she was an accomplished artist and was skilled in needlework, including quilting and crocheting.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Raphaelito Garcia; and by a sister, Eloisa Sandoval.

Survivors include her husband; three daughters, Irene Patterson (and husband, Norman Sr.) of Santa Fe, Genevieve Velasquez (Jim) of Albuquerque and Virginia Hinkle (Richard) of Las Vegas; five grandchildren, Norman Patterson Jr. of Lubbock, Edward Patterson of Roswell, Julie Hinkle of Las Vegas, Jimmy Velasquez and Christopher Velasquez, both of Albuquerque; eight great-grandchildren, Tiana, Annikah, Demitrius and Dennisha Nickson, and Kaylyn, Hunter, Austin and Tristan Patterson; seven brothers, Robert, Tobias, Augustine, Joe, Gabriel, Mike and Elmer Garcia; three sisters, Arcelia Gutierrez, Ciria Gomez and Antonia Peaden; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Father Tobin Hitt will officiate the services.

Burial will be at Portales Cemetery.

A rosary is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at St. Helen Church in Portales.

Pallbearers are Robert, Christopher and Augustine Garcia, Jimmy Velasquez, Norman Jr. and Edward Patterson.

Honorary pallbearers will be Norman Patterson, Sr., Jim Velasquez, and Richard Hinkle.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.