Molly Ortiz

Amalia “Molly” Ortiz was born September 27, 1936, in Denver Colorado to the Parents of Cruz and Ermelinda Juarez. She passed away November 13, 2025. Molly is survived by her five children Mike, Melinda (Patrick Slade), Patrick (Barbara), Christopher, Adam (Tonya), grandchildren Joseph Slade, Andrew (Megan) Slade, Carina Slade, Thomas Ortiz, Leah Ortiz (Thomas Weiss), Zachary Ortiz, Collin Ortiz, Cory Ortiz, three great grandchildren Lincoln, Callahan & Bodie Slade and a very large extended family.

Growing up, Molly had a large family. Her nine younger siblings were Alfred, Salvador, Estevan, Lucy, Hope, Teresa, Lupe, Elizabeth “Rose” and Martin.

Molly grew up in Denver and assumed the role of helping and guiding her brothers and sisters with chores, school and assisted her hard-working parents. In 1955 she graduated from West High School in Denver Colorado. Being a creative and ambitious person, Molly worked on the yearbook staff cartooning and taking photos. After high school she studied at a School of Art in Denver and worked part-time at a dime-store soda-fountain. She eventually met her true love jazz bassist Lloyd. They married in Denver in 1959.

After settling in Tucson Arizona for Lloyd's work, Molly taught art at Our Mother of Sorrows school, the neighborhood children and adults through Parks and Rec. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother and a teacher's aid at various elementary and high schools. She was always there to help and guide people.

Molly was an artist throughout her life and later specialized in watercolor. She would love to travel the outdoors with her family and capture nature with her brushes. She also enjoyed crafting ornaments, clothes and baking among many other artistic ventures. Molly was athletic and loved to walk and hike and play tennis. Later in life she loved to watch pickleball at the park and cheer on the players. They all loved to see her watching.

Molly loved family traditions like dressing up as a clown for Halloween, Making her famous Thanksgiving dishes, Christmas tamale-making parties and Independence Day BBQ. She loved music and loved to sing and dance and listen to son Christopher play his ukulele and go to the many performances of Christopher and her grandchildren. She was very proud of her family.

Molly loved God and religion with all her heart. She was involved in several local churches volunteering, being a Eucharistic minister with her husband Lloyd and spreading Jesus's love. Molly lived a long life of caring and service for those around her, even in her last years at Tucson Assisted Living Retreat. She will forever be missed by her friends, family, neighbors and her caregivers.

Memorial Services will be at Bring's Broadway Chapel on December 5. Rosary/Reflection time 5:30pm, Celebration of Life Pictures/ Quartet 6pm, Scripture Service 7pm.

Molly's funeral will be at Mt Olivet in Denver Colorado where she will be laid to rest with her beloved husband Lloyd.

Holy Cross Church, Thornton Colorado: Rosary 9:30am, Funeral Mass 10:00am Burial Service Noon at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, Wheatridge, Colorado. Reception following (TBD)