Maria C. Ortiz

Maria Ortiz, aged 70, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

She was born on April 19, 1955, in Toa Alta, Puerto Rico. She later moved to West Chester, Pennsylvania, where she met and married the love of her life, Ruben Ortiz, with whom she shared 55 years of marriage.

In her early years, Maria began working for Commodore Computers. She later worked for Fleming, where she continued to demonstrate her strong work ethic. She valued her Catholic faith deeply and was a lifelong parishioner of Saint Agnes Parish. There, she served as a Eucharistic Minister and volunteered as a Religious Education teacher for over 10 years, assisting children in preparing for their First Holy Communion and First Reconciliation. She attended daily Mass in the Saint Agnes chapel and weekly Eucharistic Adoration. She also visited members of the Latin community in their homes to pray the Rosary. She worked in the convent and at the Saint Agnes Nurses’ Center as an interpreter. She assisted with various church events, including retreats and handbag bingos. In addition to her work at Saint Agnes, she also worked in the rectory at Saints Simon and Jude Parish.

She enjoyed reading the daily newspaper with her morning coffee and was often seen playing Sudoku, completing crossword puzzles, or playing Solitaire on the computer. She absolutely loved music and dancing, and whenever she heard merengue—whether at a party, in the car, or in her kitchen—you would find her dancing. She loved traveling anywhere—whether to Europe with friends, to Puerto Rico, or for a weekend at the beach—and always enjoyed seeing new places.

Of all the hats she wore, she found the greatest joy in being a wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved baking cakes for special occasions for friends and family and cooking for others, as hospitality was extremely important to her. In the summers, she was most often seen tending to her garden, hanging wind chimes on her front porch, going for walks in the park, and spending time with her grandchildren. She never missed an event and was always front and center, cheering them on at every sporting or school event. She was truly made to be a grandmother. She believed family was everything, and it is evident in the life and family that she and Ruben created together.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Ramona Rivera; her father, Antonio Colon; her daughter, Rosalynn; her brothers, Jorge Colon, Jose Colon, and Luciano Colon; and her sisters, Antonia Colon and Nelida Charriez. Maria is survived by her husband, Ruben Ortiz; her four children, Maria Ortiz Rodriguez (Wilmer), Lucy Cruz (Alex), Elisa McIlvaine (Steven) and Ruben Ortiz Jr.; and her six grandchildren, Wilmarie Rodriguez Ureña (Nicolas), Carmelo Cruz (Lauren), Rosalynn McIlvaine, Alex Cruz Jr., Antonio Cruz, and Karly McIlvaine.

More than anything, Maria will be remembered for the love she gave to everyone around her. She will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched.

Relatives and friends are invited to her visitations on Thursday, April 23, 2026 from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm at DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. 410 North Church Street West Chester, PA 19380, and on Friday, April 24, 2026 from 10:00 am - 10:45 am at St. Agnes Church; 233 W. Gay St. West Chester, PA 19380; followed by her Funeral Mass at 11:00 am St. Agnes Church 233 W. Gay St. West Chester PA 19380 

Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery West Chester, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.