Rachel Ortega

Rachel Ortega, 63, of El Paso, passed away August 26, 2016 in San Antonio, TX. Visitation and eulogy will be held Friday, September 2, 2016, from 5pm to 9pm at Funeraria Del Angel Martin 3839 Montana Ave. El Paso, TX 79903. Rachel was born in El Paso to Jose and Francisca Alvarez on December 27, 1952. She graduated from Jefferson High School in 1971. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, family gatherings, home improvement, listening to the rain from her patio, and loved to dance. She is preceded in death by her mother Francisca. She is survived by her father Jose; siblings Joe, Beto, Eva, Gloria, Roger, and Luis; sons Roger (Ruby), Edward, Daniel (Cynthia), and Miguel (Tiffany); grandchildren Jonathon Edward, David Sheldon, Santiago Daniel, Nicole Marie, Julissa Anne, and Andrew Thomas. Rachel’s family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the army of physicians, nurses, and support staff who fought alongside her. To MD Anderson, Dr. Jazaeri and Shatoya who treated her, not like one of many patients, but like a dear friend. A special heartfelt thanks goes to her sisters, Gloria and Eva (Jerry) for providing her a place of comfort, peace and tranquility in her last days, and to all our family, primos and primas, who visited and blew up our phones always wanting to know how she was. To all her coworkers of 20 years who never forgot their “sister” with their visits and flowers. And to Kiko, who kept her company and gave her a reason to buy new dancing shoes. Rachel, beloved daughter, mother, sister, and friend passed away surrounded by her sons and family. She was loved by all who knew her. She always smiled. She always laughed. She always danced. She taught us the meaning of “don’t sweat the small stuff.” She was our wisdom, our strength, our hope, our conscience, our comfort. She was always there for us all. She taught us how to have and use a big heart. She taught us to love and be selfless. No words can explain the void we feel with your leaving. We promise to always carry all you’ve taught us, and to be to others what you’ve been to us. You will always be missed. We will always love you.