Virginia Ortega

Virginia “Nanny” Ortega, 80, a lifelong resident of La Madera, NM, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2025, with her loving family closely surrounding her as she succumbed to a sudden illness.

Virginia was a weaver, seamstress, and nurturer; having helped raise several generations of children in the La Madera area. Virginia was a very compassionate, giving, and generous person. Virginia was also devoted to the Catholic Church, she was a member of the Sacred Heart Society of La Madera, and an auxiliary member of the Cofradia de Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno.

Virginia was born to Natividad and Simonita Varela in Canon de Vallecitos, NM on August 18, 1944.

Virginia was preceded in death by her daughter Cassandra Ortega; parents Natividad and Simonita Varela; sister Flora Montano; and brothers, Simon, Larry, and Donald Varela.

Virginia is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Carlos Ortega; daughter Francine Kain (husband Kenneth Kain); sons Carlos M. Ortega (wife Loretta Ortega) and Leon Ortega (wife Phoebe Ortega); four grandchildren, Marcus Ortega-Johnson (Steven), Caitlin Chancey (Mitchell), Rachelle Romero (Derick), and Fabian Romero (Maria); and five great grandchildren, Wyatt Guttierrez, Cash Gonzales, Lane Megariz, Logan Romero, and Quinn Romero. Virginia is also survived by brothers, Sam, Roselio, Arturo, Gilbert, Joseph (Ruth) and Marvin (Hope) Varela; sisters, Connie Ortega, Elsie Martinez, and Mary Frances Gallegos (Ted); brother-in-law Ernesto Ortega (Mary Ellen); and sisters-in-law Vina Ortiz (Frank), Ana Twitchel (Michael), and Ina Mirabal (Leonard). Virginia is also survived by a nephew and three nieces that were very close to her heart, Jimmy Ortega, Doreen Jaramillo, Bernadette Gonzales, and Stephanie Martinez.

Virginia will be very missed.

Service times will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 31, 2025, where a Rosary will be recited at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ojo Caliente, NM, with a Mass to follow at 11:00am.

A private interment will take place at a later date.

Serving as Pallbearers are Marcus Ortega-Johnson, Caitlin Chancey, Wyatt Guttierrez, Lane Megariz, and Fabian Romero.

The family and friends of Virginia would like to thank the Intensive Care Unit staff of the Presbyterian Espanola Hospital.

The family of Virginia Ortega has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley.