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Eloisa Maes Ortega, born July 5, 1923 at the Maes ranch in the village of Maes, San Miguel County, NM, passed away at her home in Albuquerque on August 5, 2005 after a long illness. Her parents were Don Manuel de Atocha Maes, born April 24, 1873 in Penasco, NM, and Dona Maria Margarita Griego, born April 8, 1889 in Embudo, NM. Eloisa grew up on the ranch, where she attended a one-room schoolhouse through 8th grade. Thereafter Eloisa moved to the family house in Las Vegas, and graduated from Las Vegas High School in 1941. At New Mexico Highlands University, she studied business and education, and also was active in campus theatre and choral groups, as well as the Tri Sigma sorority. In 1943, Eloisa became a teacher at the one-room ranch schoolhouse. In June1945, she married Arturo G. Ortega of Las Vegas a few months after his escape from German captivity as a POW during World War II. During Arturo's service and captivity, Eloisa promised God that she would always do her best to take care of him should he make it back alive. After their wedding, Eloisa and Arturo moved to Washington, D.C. where Arturo received Bachelor's and Juris Doctor degrees from Georgetown University. They moved to Albuquerque in 1951. Since childhood, Eloisa was more interested in cooking, sewing, and caring for her younger siblings than in other family duties at the ranch. Her interests served her very well as she excelled as a homemaker and prepared delicious meals year after year for Arturo and their seven children: Arturo, Jr., Ricardo, Cristina, Carlos, Daniel, Roberto, and Armando. In 1980, Eloisa, Arturo and family became active in La Compania de Teatro de Alburquerque. Eloisa believed passionately in the importance of the arts, and became one of La Compania's best advocates and fundraisers. In 1983, Arturo and Eloisa were instrumental in establishing the Hispanic Culture Foundation (now called the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation). They remained involved in supporting La Compania and the Foundation until Arturo suffered a disabling stroke in 1991. True to her promise while Arturo was away during the war, Eloisa devoted herself completely to his care until he passed away in January 1999. She became ill during the summer of 2003, and after several hospitalizations, got her wish to return home, where she lived out her life with the support of her family, Zia Hospice, and other caregivers. Eloisa is survived by Arturo, Jr. and wife Lynda, Ricardo, Cristina and husband, Robert Morris, Carlos and wife, Dolores, Daniel and wife, Rebecca, Roberto and wife, Loretta, and Armando and wife Yolanda. In addition, she is survived by eighteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She is also survived by her brothers, Alfredo and Manuel Maes and her sisters, Peggy Wright and husband Calvin, Virginia Wildenstein, Consuelo Dowler and husband Keith, Grace Mammina and husband Ben, brother-in-law Enriquez Ortega and wife Ruth, brother-in-law Joaquin Pablo Ortega, Jr. and wife Ruth, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other in-laws. There will be a rosary at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 9 and a funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 10 at Holy Rosary Church, 5415 Fortuna Rd. NW, Albuq., NM. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Eloisa may be made to the Norbertine Community Santa Maria de la Vid Priory, 5825 Coors SW, Albuq., NM 87121, or to the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation, 1701 4th St. SW, Albuq., NM 87102. French Mortuary 1111 University Blvd. NE 843-6333
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