Juanita Ortiz

WATSONVILLE — Juanita Medrano Ortiz, longtime resident of Watsonville, died in on Wednesday, June 27, 2012. She was 76.

  Mrs. Ortiz was born in Artisia, New Mexico on July 11, 1935 to Benancio and Grace Medrano. She lived in Watsonville for 30 years and worked as custodian at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. She loved to cook Mexican food and cook with her family. She was known for her tamales, menudo and homemade tortillas. She also loved to do hand embroidery, make her own clothes and jewelry. Mrs. Ortiz loved to go to the Watsonville Senior Center where she would go dancing, sing, and do arts and crafts. 

Mrs. Ortiz is survived by her children Frank (Dorothy) Palifox of Miami, Fla., Emelia Ortiz-Piché of Sioux Falls, S.D., and Rosemary Becerra, John Garcia, and Lupe Ortiz of Watsonville; stepchildren, Mary Espinoza, Angie Camuñez, and Elsa Bravo of Watsonville; siblings, Anita Auten of Glendale, Ariz, Rosie (Ray) Martinez of Las Vegas, Nev., David (Micki) Engel of Phoenix, Ariz., Jesse Medrano of Queens Creek, Ariz., and Belia Clark of Seattle, Wash.; 12 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and several step-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 22 years, Emiliano Ortiz; son Alfredo Palifox; and brothers Antonio and Pedro Medrano.

Private services have already been held. Arrangements were entrusted to Mehl’s Colonial Chapel.

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