Maria Ortiz-(Encinias)

Maria Vitalia Ortiz-(Encinias) at the age of 88, went home to our Lord Jesus Christ on July 23, 2021 after a lengthy illness. She passed peacefully surrounded by her family.  Maria was a proud wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Maria was born in Rowe New Mexico on February 12, 1933, where her father was raised.  Her father was left in Rowe after his relatives migrated to Jemez Pueblo.  Her family moved to Canyon Road in Santa Fe so that her father could work at Rios Lumber yard. There, Maria didn’t like school much so she begged her father if she could work instead. She graduated from the 8th grade, which for the time she considered her “college education.” Maria did enjoy reading and taught her children and grandchildren how to read. Closer to the city of Santa Fe she was able to catch the eye of Jose Claudio (Clyde) Ortiz de Nambe.  She and her sister Inez both married their young men of Nambe.  She married the love of her life, Claudio on September 9th, 1951. Shortly after, Clyde was drafted and was sent to serve his country.  Maria was left with their first child (Yvonne) which she raised in Clyde’s family home for 14 months until his return. Maria spent much time with family both in Pecos and Rowe while her husband was in the Army stationed in Germany. Maria loved to go shopping, she wanted to look her Sunday best to go to Church to worship and praise God. She didn’t settle for the department store dresses. She went to La Tienda in Santa Fe and when they went out of business, she settled for Dillard’s. All her friends and family knew how much she loved Dillard’s, you would find her there every Saturday. Maria worked for many people doing house cleaning and ironing. She retired from Las Acequias Farm where she loved working for Louise Trigg, Robin and Meade Martin.  She was a homemaker and caregiver.  She loved every child she cared for like a child of her own. Maria spent a lot of her time cooking and all her children could tell you how delicious her food was, especially her pecan pineapple pies and tortillas. She would tease she didn’t even really like cooking, but she was darn great at it. On first impressions, Maria seemed shy and quiet. But she had a unique personality and a good sense of humor. She was firm in her beliefs and her kids knew to not cross her because she disciplined with a strong hand.  She was the true Matriach of the Ortiz Family. She taught her children to put God first, Family second and work third and she lived by example.  Maria kept an impeccable house and she always worked to keep it that way.  Up to the end of life, she still took care of children she would venture out making sure they were safe.

Maria is preceded in death by her parents Fidencio and Vivanita Encinias; sisters, Rufina (Ernesto) Vigil of Pecos, Inez (Mariano) Garcia of Nambe, Lucille Albers of South Dakota, Juanita (Jimmy) Atencio of Santa Fe, Tessie (Philip) Cardenas of Santa Fe, Nestorita  Encinias of Rowe, Kathy (Richard) Roybal of Santa Fe , Georgia Ortiz of Rowe; and brothers, Antonio (Susie) Encincias and Abel Encinias of Pecos, Ramon Encinias of Santa Fe. Son-in-Law Richard Ebelacker of Santa Clara Pueblo.

She is survived by her Husband of 70 years Jose Felix Claudio Ortiz of Nambe.  Daughters: Yvonne Ebelacker of Santa Clara Pueblo, Paula (Manuel) Roybal of Pojoaque and Claudine (Lawrence) Armenta of Nambe.  Son: George (Pearl) Ortiz of Jaconita. Grandchildren: Jerome Ebelacker, Jason Ebelacker, Racheal Montoya, Manuel Roybal, Vanessa Roybal, Lauren Armenta, Lawrence Armenta, Rebecca Ortiz, Stephanie Arrieta, Amanda Montano and Christina Ortiz. She also has 8 great grandchildren. Last surviving brother Anastacio Encinias of Las Vegas NM. Brother-in-law Al of South Dakota.

Viewing and Rosary will be on Thursday July 29th starting at 6:00pm for the viewing and 7:00pm the Rosary will be recited in the Chapel of Peace in the Devargas Funeral Home in Espanola.

Funeral mass on Friday the 30th of July, 2021 at 10:30 at the Sacred Heart Church of Nambe.

Internment will be held at the Santa Fe National Cemetery on August 24, 2021 at 10:30

Serving the family as Pallbearers will be Jerome Ebelacker, Jason Ebelacker, Nickolas Ebelacker, Manuel Roybal Jr., Lawrence Armenta, and Randy McCloud, honorary Pallbearers are Manuel Roybal, Lawrence Armenta Sr.  and all of her nephews, nieces and neighbors.

We the family would like to give a special Thank You to Mom’s caregiver Ramona O’Salais. She gave mom loving and compassionate care until the very end.  To the Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service, Home Health and Hospice, especially to Jack that visited mom weekly. MANNM for her health care over the years, especially Molly Vossburg. And to Devargas Funeral Home and Crematory especially Jim Martinez for helping us make arrangements through this difficult time. Thank you to those who have prayed for mom, brought food, cards and supported the family during this time.  We truly appreciate all that you do in the Name of Jesus.

The family of Maria Vitalia Ortiz-(Encinias) has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley. 505-747-7477-www.devargasfunera.com