Obituary of Luz E Ortega

Luz E. "Lucy" Ortega (age 79) of Vineland passed away peacefully at home on Friday, September 15, 2017 surrounded by her loving family and friends. Lucy was born in Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico to Gregorio Santiago and Susana Vasquez. During her life she worked in the restaurant, garment, and health profession industries in Puerto Rico, New York City and New Jersey. She worked in the garment industry in New York City until 1961. She lived and worked in Bergen County, NJ until she moved to Vineland in 1973, where she raised her seven children. She worked as a supervisor at the Vineland Developmental Center until she retired in 1997. She was also a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. She dedicated her life to her family and always had her door opened to anyone who needed help. She was a fantastic cook, and always had a pot of arroz con gandules ready for anyone that came to visit. She was a master seamstress, making clothes for her family for all occasions, and an avid collector of elephant figurines from all over the world. Her love for music spanned across all genres, but she especially enjoyed listening to classical opera tenors such as Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli. Luz is survived by her seven children: Anabell C. Williams (Ron Williams), Lisa Col?n, Felix Col?n, Robert Ortega Jr. (Tammy Ortega), Teresa Ortega (Eddie Gonzalez), Anthony Ortega (Janet Ortega), Gregory Ortega (Stephanie Ortega); her 19 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; her 2 sisters Violet Santiago and Angie Ortiz (Charlie Ortiz); Her life-long friends Lula Rolan and Felipe Maisonave; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and extended family. She was predeceased by her parents, Susana Vasquez and Gregorio Santiago, and step-father Ramon Cardoza; her sister Digna Santiago; and her brothers Raymond Santiago and Michael Santiago; her first and second husbands Rufino Colon and Robert Ortega Sr. respectively. A special thanks to the doctors and nursing staff of the Inspira Intensive Care Unit and Genesis Rehabilitation Center for all their support and care over the last few months. The viewing will be at Rone Funeral Home on Friday, September 22 (6-9pm) and Saturday, September 23 (9-10am). The funeral will be at Divine Mercy Parish at 11am followed by the burial at Sacred Heart Cemetery. Donations can be sent to St. Jude's Children Research Hospital in memory of Luz E. Ortega.