Bernice Angelina Ortiz Bernice Angelina Ortiz, born 1932 in

Bernice Angelina Ortiz Bernice Angelina Ortiz, born 1932 in Albuquerque and a life long resident of the South Valley, left her beloved home in Pajarito 10 August 2025, surrounded by love and her family. She now joins her heavenly family that has waited so long for her to join them. She was greeted by her beloved husband of 62 years, Zachary R. Ortiz; her son, Charles; her mother, Margaret Garcia Durand; brothers, Richard Durand Jr., Prudencio (Prudy) Durand, along with countless other family members and friends. Bernice spent her life giving to others and cultivating love. She was a homemaker in every sense of the word. She made her house a home, where everyone was welcomed and would feel the warmth and comfort she created by sitting around her kitchen table. Anyone who visited her home was treated to a generous helping of her food...fresh baked bread, a pot of beans, pastelitos, to name a few, all which fed both bodies and souls. Bernice was also a teacher of life, who taught by example. How to practice kindness, listen with compassion and non-judgement, be patient, offer guidance, but never advise (unless advice was asked for). She had a saying, "they'll figure it out", meaning that we all need to work out our own lives, mistakes and all, for we learn and grow from these messy and uncomfortable moments. These life lessons were made possible by her unconditional love and support that she gave each of us throughout our lives. She was a wise woman indeed. The hardest goodbye is saying goodbye to our mom, the earth angel that gave us life. We all want to say thank you mom for taking care of us for so long. We hope to see the world through your eyes, for you showed us that a life filled with love is a life that's been loved. The family wishes to thank Presbyterian Hospice for their loving care, as well as our South Valley Public Library who for years helped us find the right books for our mom to read. Bernice is survived by daughters, Margaret Baron (Ephraim), Carla Sweet (Larry); sons, Zachary Ortiz Jr. (Anita), Clyde Ortiz, Gary Ortiz (Sue Picco), eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. She and all her love lives on in each of her descendants. Visitation followed by the rosary will take place Friday, September 12, 2025, 6pm at Ascension Church, 2150 Raymac Rd SW. Her funeral mass will take place Saturday, September 13, 2025, 10am followed by Interment at Pajarito Cemetery. A reception celebrating her life journey will follow the interment.