The Ortega Family has lost their matriarch. Margarita Camarena Ortega was born on November 25th, 1921 in Cojumatlan, Michocan, Mexico.
Her family long heard stories of her wonderful childhood. Margarita immigrated to California in 1946, ending up in the Salinas Valley where she met her lifelong husband Francisco Ortega. They settled in Greenfield where they raised their children and became well known pillars of the community.
Margarita, who was better known throughout the community as Mague, initially worked in the agricultural fields of the surrounding area and eventually went to Maggio’s Carrot Shed in King City/Gonzales. She spent over 40 years working for the Maggio Company until she retired in the early 80’s. She made many lifelong friends while working and being an avid member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Her many friends became extended members of the Ortega Family during the more than 70 years she lived in Greenfield.
Margarita took great pride in her vast rose garden at her home and enjoyed shopping. Her personal appearance was always something that was important to her even into her final days. She had a strong love for mariachi music, novelas and Jose Alfredo Jimenez. Margarita’s faith was always something that was very important to her throughout her life.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Francisco Ortega Sr., sons James Ortega and Francisco Ortega Jr., and her grandson Mark F. Swift.Margarita is survived by her children Sylvia Ortega, Virginia Ortega, Ramon Ortega, Ruben Ortega, Argelia Besenaiz, and Rafael Sucilla. She had many loved grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.
The Ortega Family extends a most heartfelt thanks to Margarita’s caretaker, Dela Monroy, and her daughter, Sylvia Ortega, who lovingly cared for her over the last two years as she fought Alzheimers.
A Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 19, 2018 and a Funeral Mass will be held at 9:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 803 Elm Ave. in Greenfield. Burial will follow the mass in Holy Trinity Cemetery.
Arrangements were entrusted to Eddington Funeral Services, 429 Bassett St., King City, (831) 385-5400, www.EFS-Cares.com.
