Maria "Mary" Ortiz

Maria “Mary” Ortiz, age 79, of Adrian, MI passed away May 1, 2022 at the Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, TX.  She was born in a small town in Texas called Saspamco on September 22, 1942 to Emilio & Sara (Campos) Montecinos.  Maria was the second oldest of a large family with many beloved siblings which she helped to raise.  Her family moved from Texas to Adrian when Mary was 4 for migrant work.  When she was 17, she met Juan “John” Ortiz at church and they married on September 21, 1959.  Together they had 4 children:  John, Antonia, Samuel and Joe.  Mary was a hardworking woman – both at home and her numerous jobs but she was best known as a hairdresser at several salons including her own – Shear Advantage. Mary had many talents.  In addition to making people look and feel beautiful, she was an extraordinary cook.   She also had quite a green thumb & would love to show the humongous plants she would grow from a mere leaf or a sprout.   In her early years, she loved to watch her novellas & baseball but in her later years she preferred to hit the casinos with her family & friends.  However, most center in Mary’s life was the Lord.  She was very devout and involved with her church (Iglesia Bautista Cristiana) for many years.  Mary is survived by her children, Toni (Paul) Ortiz, Sam (Terri) Ortiz, Joe (Katie) Ortiz & daughter-in-law, Sue Ortiz; a brother, Emilio (Dolores) Montecinos; 2 sisters, Sara Palmer & Carmen Montecinos; 5 grandchildren:  Angela Ortiz, Justin Bennett, Paige Ballard, Afton Ortiz and Emelia Ortiz; 6 great grandchildren and many nieces & nephews.  Last but far from least, her dear friend Lorenzo Barrientes, a teenage romance whom she was reunited with the last couple years of her life after each raised families and later cared for sick & dying spouses.  We are very grateful for the happiness she found with him.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Juan and most recently her heart was broken with the loss of her son John Ortiz.   Other family members passed before her include her brothers:  Miguel, Antonio, Leonardo; and sister, Delores; and several cherished nieces & nephews.  Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, 2959 N. Adrian Hwy, Adrian, MI.  Viewing & Visitation will be on Monday, May 9, 2022, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, Adrian, MI.  A luncheon will follow the service at the activity center at the Holy Family Parish St. Mary’s Campus located at: 305 Division Street, Adrian, MI 49221.  

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