She was born on January 18, 1954, in Bantay Ilocos Sur, Philippines to Laoretta Corpuz and Rodolfo Cortez.
She earned her teaching degree at Alaoan College La Union and then taught elementary school. When her parents passed away, she and her brother, Cornel, were raised by her grandmother in Tagudin, Ilocos Sur.
She moved to the United States with her son Rick in 1984 when he was nine years old. They lived in Los Angeles, then moved to Lawndale, and finally in Carson, California. Her first job was at Seiko for eight years. She then opened her first residential homecare business in 1994 and continued to work as a residential caretaker until her death.
Her interests included playing mahjong, cooking for her grandchildren and spending time with them, attending parties and religious functions.
Myrna Cortez is survived by her son Rick Cortez, daughter-in-law Irish, granddaughter Arielle, and grandson- Kyle. She was preceded in death by her daughter Rowena Cortez.
