Patricia Marlene Orozco Ely

Patricia Marlene Orozco-Ely, lovingly known to her family as “Umma,” passed away peacefully on August 31, 2026, at the age of 75. Born on October 20, 1950, in Grass Valley, California, Patricia lived a beautiful life defined by love, laughter, family, and an extraordinary ability to make everyone around her feel cared for.

Patricia was the daughter of Mary Elizabeth Bamber and George Bamber. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ramiro Orozco, who passed away on December 13, 2010; her parents, Mary Elizabeth Bamber and George Bamber; her beloved brother, William “Bill” Bamber; and her great-granddaughter, Emmie.

Patricia’s greatest joy in life was her family. She was a woman who loved deeply, gave endlessly, and somehow always found room for one more person at her table, in her home, and in her heart.

In December of 1975, Patricia married the love of her early life, Ramiro Orozco, and together they began building the family that would become the center of her world. Patricia and Ramiro shared a love that was evident to everyone who knew them. Together, they moved from California to Arizona. Through the years, they built a life filled with family, laughter, hard work, traditions, and memories.

Together, Patricia and Ramiro raised three children: Ramiro Orozco, Elizabeth Orozco, and Richard Orozco.

Their love story continued through the many seasons of life. When Ramiro became ill, Patricia cared for him with the same devotion and strength that she gave to everything she loved. She stood beside him, cared for him, and remained strong for their family. When Ramiro passed away on December 13, 2010, Patricia carried his memory and the love they shared with her for the rest of her life.

Years later, Patricia was blessed with another beautiful chapter of love. On March 4, 2017, she married John Ely. John became her companion, her partner, and someone who loved and cared for her deeply. Together they traveled, stayed busy, explored new places, and created years of cherished memories. John gave Patricia the opportunity to see and experience so many places, and their companionship brought joy and adventure into her later years.

Patricia’s greatest title, however, was Grandmother.

She adored her grandchildren and was so proud of every one of them. She was the kind of grandmother who didn’t simply show up—she showed up with her whole heart. She celebrated birthdays and holidays, cooked for everyone, created traditions, and went above and beyond to make every gathering feel special.

She was funny, kind, playful, caring, and endlessly generous. Patricia had a way of filling every empty space with something: laughter, food, conversation, decorations, a story, a helping hand, or simply her presence. She was often the one holding everything together, making sure everyone was taken care of and reminding her family what it meant to love one another.

She especially loved cooking and making tamales, a tradition that will live on through the hands and hearts of the family she taught and loved. She loved holidays and never did anything halfway. She had a gift for making ordinary moments feel like celebrations.

And Patricia never really outgrew her playful spirit. When her grandchildren were little, she even made “timeout dolls,” creating memories they would carry with them long after childhood. She loved tortoises, had a soft heart for animals, and was known for rescuing dogs and giving them the care and love they needed.

For many years, Patricia worked as a school bus driver, caring for children beyond her own family and bringing the same warmth and kindness she carried everywhere she went.

But above every title, every job, every accomplishment, and every role she held in life, Patricia was simply someone who loved people.

She loved her children.

She loved her grandchildren.

And she absolutely adored her great-grandchildren.

Patricia is survived by her husband, John Ely, and a family who will forever carry pieces of her with them.

Her children:

Ramiro, Elizabeth, and Richard.

Her grandchildren:

Jose, Iris, Janiece, Richard, Josalyn, Luis, Samuel, Savannah, Evelyn, and Hawk.

Her great-grandchildren:

Michael, Vivian, Denver, Julian, Joshua, Faith, Gilbert, Charlie, Amiyah, Gianna, and Isaiah.

Patricia’s legacy is not simply found in the years she lived, but in the people she loved and the lives she touched. It lives in the recipes she made, the holidays she made special, the stories that will be told again and again, the animals she rescued, the laughter she brought into a room, and the traditions that will continue because of her.

It lives in every child, grandchild, and great-grandchild who learned from her what it means to love fiercely and give selflessly.

She was the glue of her family—the arms that held everyone together, the person who made sure no one felt forgotten, and the heart that always seemed to have room for everyone.

Her absence will leave a space that cannot be filled.

But the love she gave so freely will remain.

She will live on in every family gathering where someone makes her recipes, in every holiday she taught them to celebrate, in every laugh that reminds them of hers, in every rescued animal that receives a second chance, and in every story that begins with, “Remember when Umma…”

Those who knew Patricia will remember her beautiful eyes, her unforgettable laugh, and the warmth that made being around her feel like home.

Patricia was deeply loved.

She gave her family a lifetime of love.

And she will be missed for a lifetime.

Funeral Service

A graveside service honoring Patricia’s life will be held on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at South Lawn Memorial Park in Tucson, Arizona.

Family and friends are invited to gather together to celebrate the remarkable life of Patricia Marlene Orozco-Ely and to honor the love, laughter, and countless memories she leaves behind.