Sr. Esther Ortega, OP, formerly known as Sister Consolata Marie Ortega, died on Thursday, January 14, 2021, at the ProMedica Toledo Hospital in Toledo, Ohio. She was 86 years of age and in the 65th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Esther was born in Douglas, Arizona, to Jose and Maria (Medrano) Ortega. She graduated from Douglas High School in Douglas; received a Bachelor of Home Economics degree from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian; and earned a Master of Arts degree in Theology from St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California. She was also certified in Parent Effectiveness by the Effective Training Association.
Sister Esther spent 14 years ministering in elementary and secondary education in Oak Lawn and Oak Park, Illinois; Tucumcari and Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Winslow, Arizona; and 34 years in pastoral ministry/adult education in Albuquerque and Chama, New Mexico, and El Paso and San Elizario, Texas. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2012.
Sister was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers: Peter, Edward and George and her sister, Irene. She is survived by a brother, Raul (Amelia) Ortega of Arlington, Texas, and a sister, Connie Gomez of Gilbert, Arizona, loving nieces and nephews and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Due to COVID-19 mitigation protocols, the Dominican Life Center is closed until further notice to all guests or visitors. All are welcome to participate in Sister’s wake and funeral via live stream at http://www.adriandominicans.org/LiveStream.aspx
The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Word Service will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 21, 2021. Prayers of Committal will be held in the back of St. Catherine Chapel.
Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, Michigan, 49221.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.
