Pauline Anna Ortega

We are sad to announce the passing of Pauline Anna Ortega of Albuquerque, NM.  She passed away on Sunday April 16, 2023, at the age of 84 surrounded by her loved ones.

She was born on November 14, 1938, in Gallup, NM to the late Albert and Nellie Nieto.  Pauline aspired to be a nun before meeting the love of her life, Manuel Ortega.  She worked at the McKinley County Assessor’s Office in Gallup, NM before moving to Albuquerque, NM where she and her husband opened GO TV and Appliance Service in 1975.  She was the company’s bookkeeper until 1998.

Pauline was preceded in death by her siblings, Genevieve Mier, Evangeline Chavez, Albert Nieto Jr and Leo Nieto.

Pauline is survived by her husband of 61 years, Manuel Ortega and their children, Manuel Ortega, Jr [Annette] and Brenda Ortega [Jose].  Pauline adored her grandchildren, Derrik [Katie], Kiana [Edgar], Cheyenne [Greg] and Adelia [Victor] and great grandchildren Link and Yuner as well as multiple nieces, nephews and cousins.

Pauline has left wonderful impressions on those she has met and will be greatly missed by all.

 Services for Pauline Ortega will be held:

Memories

My favorite memories are just being with my mom.

I put a white rabbit on lay away with a 50 cent deposit so I could go home to ask my mom.  I did get the bunny and my dad built her an amazing hutch.

                                                                        Brenda Ortega

My mom was always worried when anyone was traveling and asked that you call her when you got to your destination.  She was shocked when my friend Jerry Roush and I decided to take off to Phoenix to go to the races and called from a payphone to let her know I was in Phoenix.  She always told me that I turned out just like her dad always traveling somewhere.

She taught me that you must work hard for everything as no one will just give you what you want, you have to earn it.  She has helped to shape me into the man I am, and I am proud of my work ethic that I have been able to pass on to my son as well.

                                                                        Manny Ortega, Jr

My favorite memory was when my grandma would let me give her mini pedicures growing up. I would earn a few single dollars that was later used on our trips to Dollar Tree. When we got there, she would always slip me an extra dollar or two and say “here mijita, go get what you want”.  She was the sweetest, most giving person.

Anique and I had a glitter party in grandma’s bathroom.  We had a great time and tried to clean up the glitter by sweeping it under the bathroom rug.

My grandma always told me the stories about the items in her bedroom.  Her prized possession was the beautiful wedding ring that papa got for her from a box of cracker jacks.   

                                                                        Adelia Robles Ortega

Grandma taught me and Phillip to march up and down the hallway when she was babysitting us.

In 2000, I went on a train trip with grandma, Phyllis and Phillip to California for Christopher’s graduation.  There was an issue with the train so it took forever to get to California, but we all had fun and made new friends on the train. We all had a blast at Disneyland.  We also got to visit Ronnie and Michael and Patrick. 

                                                                        Derrik Ortega

Kiana was not able to say Cheyenne when she was little, so she called me Shiney and my grandma still called me Shiney.

Grandma loved going to BINGO on the weekends, I loved taking her and playing BINGO together.

                                                                        Cheyenne Dziurzynski

I loved getting to grandma’s house in the morning and hearing her music in the kitchen while she made breakfast shuffling around in her slippers.

I remember summer trips to Jemez with grandma and papa. And trips to Gallup to visit Auntie Vangie.

                                                                        Kiana Robles Ortega

I loved watching Auntie Polly have fun with the girls, especially when she did the Stanky Leg Dance with them.

                                                                        Phyllis Laycock

I was blessed with an amazing mother-in-law.  Pauline and my mother Patty took turns taking care of Derrik from a very young age and I do feel that their grandmotherly love and patience set the cornerstone for his amazing personality and compassion as well as his incredible work ethic.  I will always be thankful that Pauline was in our lives.

Pauline told Manny on our wedding day that he had to eat whatever I cooked for him, or he would go hungry as she would not be cooking for him any longer.  She also threatened him that if he took me to a racetrack on the honeymoon, he would be in big trouble with her.

                                                                        Annette Ortega

I was thankful that Pauline and Manuel’s home was always open to Brenda and my daughters no matter what.

                                                                        Jose Robles