Marie Eleanor Cortez

In Loving Memory of Marie Eleanor Cortez. Marie Eleanor Cortez, 93, passed on to her eternal life on October 17, 2026, at Paradise Point Assisted Living and Memory Care Facility in Ormond Beach, Florida. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lieutenant Colonel James J. Cortez, U.S. Army retired. Born January 8, 1933, in New York City, to Norman F. Kunz and Marie (Hogan) Kunz, all deceased .Marie was actively pursuing a career in acting and modeling in New York City when she met the love of her life, James J. Cortez. They met in the summer of 1956 while Jim was a cadet at West Point, and they married in June 1957 after his graduation. Over the next several decades, she devoted herself to her family as well as a dedicated Army wife, supporting Jim’s decorated military career and raising their two sons, Michael, born 1958, and Stephen J. Cortez, M.D., born 1959. After Jim’s retirement, they settled in McLean, Virginia, where Marie reignited her passion for acting and modeling, appearing in print ads, commercials, and small film roles, including Suspect (1987) and Guarding Tess (1994). In 1999, Marie and Jim retired to Ormond Beach, Florida. Throughout her life, she was known for her warm spirit, caring nature, and joyful personality. She was a devout catholic and was active in the church as well as her community .She is survived by her sons, Michael and his wife, Kathy, and Stephen J. Cortez, M.D., and his wife, Jenny; her grandsons, Kyle, Tyler, and Connor; and her sisters-in-law, Patricia, Ann Marie and her husband David, and Dolores. Marie will be reunited with Jim in a service at the United States Military Academy at West Point, to be held at the Old Cadet Chapel, with interment to follow in the West Point Columbarium. Date to be announced later. In lieu of flowers, donations in Marie’s memory may be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation at parkinson.org. Marie will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. May she rest in eternal peace, reunited with her beloved Jim.