Manuela Ortega

Manuela “Mela” Quiñonez Ortega, 97, of Oregon, Ohio passed away peacefully on Monday, March 15, 2021. She was born on March 4, 1924 at home in Pearsall, Texas to Andrea M. Montelongo and José Maria Quinonez. She married Ramon E. Ortega on April 2, 1941. They enjoyed 36 years together until his death in 1977. She had a strong faith in Jehovah, she was a devoted wife and nurturing mother who dedicated much of her time to home life. She enjoyed cooking, listening to music and had a passion for gardening. No act of love or sacrifice was too much in order to keep her children and family healthy and safe. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Doroteo M. Quinones, Ricardo M. Quinones, Rodolfo M. Quinones; sisters, Tere Garza and Maria Castillo; her son, Ramon Ortega, Jr.; daughter, Linda Sanchez; grandson, Michael Vargas; and son-in-law, Jesse Castilleja. She is survived by her brother, José M. Quinones; sons, Richard (Nancy) Ortega, Robert (Jodi) Ortega; daughters, Ofelia (Miguel) Vargas, Esperanza Castilleja, Virginia (Randy) Ortega-Gray; 16 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren, many great-great-grandchildren and special son-in-law, Paul Sanchez. She will be missed tremendously as she was the foundation and the rock of her family. To honor her wishes, there will not be any visitation or services. There will be a virtual memorial service by way of Zoom to be announced at a later date.