Dorothy "Dottie" Jean Cortez

Dottie Cortez, who lived a life clothed in strength and dignity and who rejoiced on her final day, went to be with her Eternal Father on July 13, 2016, at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas, after a sudden stroke. She was a faith-filled woman who conquered single motherhood, beat breast cancer, quit smoking, and, in her final act, gave life as an organ donor. Dorothy Jean Hutchins was born March 13, 1940, at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas, to Jesse Maurice Hutchins and Margaret Lee O’Neal. She attended Lanier Elementary and Crozier Tech High School. She is greeted in heaven by her parents and her siblings Jesse Hutchins Jr., Elizabeth Wilson, and James Hutchins. Dottie raised four strong and beautiful daughters: Teri Diane, Karen Jean, Donna Kay and Lori Lynne. She worked tirelessly, earning her GED in 1969 while raising her girls and often holding two jobs to provide for her family. She retired in 2000 as a realtor at Century 21. Throughout her life, she was a good steward of her finances and all that God entrusted to her. She met the love of her life, Jesse Cortez, while working together at International Power Machines in 1976. Their first date was to watch fireworks for our nation’s bicentennial, and they celebrated 40 years of devotion and 20 years of marriage this month. Dottie was an excellent judge of character. Her first impression was always the right one, and perhaps never more clearly than in choosing Jesse to spend her life with. Dottie said that she fell in love with Jesse because when she looked into his eyes, she saw her own and knew that they were the same. Her greatest lessons to her daughters and her family are her strength, the importance of self-love and self-respect, and “there’s no such thing as can’t.” Some of her favorite things were gardening, reading, and cherished memories of her father. Her greatest joy was her family, especially seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her husband Jesse Cortez; her sister Mary Connelly (Eddie); her daughters Teri Hampton (Timothy d.2012), Karen Santilli (Tony), Donna Belknap (Ricky d.2011), and Lori Candrian (Curt); her seven grandchildren Matthew Lansdale, Joshua Miles, Natasha Dennis (BJ), Travis McMillon, Destiny Varghese (Josh), Carter Candrian and Samantha Candrian; and her nine great-grandchildren Allison, Betty Ruth and Joshua, Jade and Spencer, Hunter and Ethan, and Adair and Calla. She also loved and is survived by her extended family: Jesse’s children Debra Cortez Howe, Jesse Cortez Jr., Norma Cortez Brown (Jim), Liz Cortez Nichols (Michael), and Michael Steven Cortez (Terri); nine grandchildren Annika Howe, Ryan Howe, John White, Anthony Cortez (Laura), Christopher Cortez (Lauren), Cassandra Payne (Brent), Michael Cortez Jr. (Kaylin), Kimberly Cortez and Olivia Cortez; and 12 great-grandchildren Penelope, Evan and Caroline, Isaiah, Allison, and Jason, Christopher Jr., Alejandro, Audrey, Eleanor, and Violet, and Alesanna. A viewing will be held at Laurel Land Funeral Home Dallas on Sunday, July 17, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at Laurel Land on Monday, July 18, at noon, with graveside service immediately following. The service will be officiated by Pastor Garrett Hawfitch of Grace Outreach Center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Cancer Society and American Diabetes Association in honor of her daughters and granddaughter.