Emily Ortiz

Emily Ortiz, 32, passed away at home on December 30, 2023. Gone far too soon, Emily’s legacy will live on through the family and many friends that she loved so dearly. Emily was an accomplished dancer with an unsurpassed talent for a great many things on the dance floor and beyond. She could draw anything when she put pencil or paint to paper, could play nearly any instrument by ear, and could thrift an outfit or home décor better than any professional stylist or designer. She never met a stranger and delighted in spending time equally with those she knew and loved and those she just met. She had an infectious belly laugh, cherished time spent hanging out with her beloved cat, Polly (now being lovingly cared for by her dad and brother), and loved “every animal”, especially “Sid the Sloth”.  She is survived by her mother, Dena Ortiz, father, Ron Ortiz, brothers Kyle & Casey Ortiz, sister-in-law Laura Moore, sister Becca Marion, grandmother, Belle Biernes, grandfather, Edward Biernes, aunts Debbie McKay, Virginia Ham, Debbie Cottrell, and Cheryl Noland, uncles, Michael Ham, Don Cottrell, and Michael Noland, and the many cousins and friends who loved her.

She will be eternally missed until we meet her again.

A private family service will be held in her honor.  In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her name to Faith Recovery House in Long Beach, CA (love4faith2@yahoo.com or Venmo Diana Ficklin, or Zelle, Diana 562/881-2322), a place where she was surrounded by love and support and which she held dear.