Maria Dolores Cortez, MD

Maria Dolores (Lolita/ Loly) Cortez, MD, passed away in San Antonio, Texas October 5, 2024 at the age of 65. Born to Bertha and Ramiro Cortez on November 10, 1958 in San Antonio, Texas and the ninth of 14 children. Lolita was raised in a large and loving family and will be missed very much.

Her early education included attendance at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School, Hawthorne Jr High School, Fox Tech High School in San Antonio. Loly continued her education at: Princeton University in PreMed 1981, New Jersey Baylor College of Medicine, class of 1985. Baylor College of Medicine, Residency, Internal Medicine. 1985-1988. Baylor University Medical School in Houston, with Fellowship, Cardiovascular Disease,1988-1992. Board certified and licensed to practice in Cardiovascular disease from 1986-2026. Soon after her completion at Baylor College of Medicine in 1985, she began clinical practice in Houston, and Richmond, Texas. Dr. Cortez joined The University Texas Health Science Center San Antonio (UTHSCSA) in 1999 as Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine. She specialized in research of cardiovascular disease management, innovative practices of cardiac diseases, and adult congenital heart disease, while managing a clinical practice. After 32 years of practice, she retired in 2017 but continued to work part-time for University Hospital. Dr. Cortez was affiliated with Audi L Murphy Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, University Health/UT Health Science Center (UTHSC), and University Hospital.

Dr. Cortez, fondly known as Loly by her family, is preceded in death by her parents Ramiro and Bertha Cortez, her brother Armando Cortez, her brother in law, Ricardo Ramirez, her sister in law Gladys Cortez, and nieces Valeria Cortez and Carmen Ramirez. She is survived by her siblings, Fr. Ramiro Cortez OMI, Carlos (Ann) Cortez, Alfred (Rosemary) Cortez, Suzzanna (Steve) Currier, Lourdes Ramirez, Carmen (Edgar) Saldana, George (Ludi) Cortez, Olga (Ernest) Munoz, Paula (John) Strelchun, John Cortez, Tom (Dolores) Cortez, Sam (Graciela) Cortez, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Loly devoted her life and career to provide quality medical care to her community and family. She remained a spiritual, humble and unpretentious regardless of her high accomplishments in her medical profession. She was a longtime member of the Legion of Mary. In her spare time Loly enjoyed the fine arts, painting, sketching and encouraged her parents to oil paint. She also enjoyed watching movies, plays, old tv reruns, listening to music and joining in with family gatherings as her busy work schedule would allow. Father Godfrey Mwansa, OMI will lead the rosary beginning at 9:30 am, on Thursday, October 24, 2024, followed by Mass at 10:00 am at Mission San Jose Catholic Church, 701 E. Pyron Ave, San Antonio, Texas. Interment will follow at San Fernando Cemetery #2, 746 Castroville Rd, San Antonio, Texas.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, at Oblate Madonna Residence 327 Oblate Dr., San Antonio, Texas 78216.