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Tillie Cortese, age 71, died peacefully at home in her sleep on Saturday, June 28, 2003. Tillie was born in LaJara, NM to Basillio and Martha Montoya. She is survived by her husband, Frank B. Cortese, Sr.; children, Frank B. Cortese II and wife, Deborah, David B. Cortese and fiance, Sue Felegie, Tania M. Triolo and husband, Adam, all of Albuquerque; grandchildren, Nicholas and Noel Cortese, Holly White and Cristen White Fuller and Amber and Monique Triolo; great-grandchildren, David, Eli, and Ethan; six brothers, Johnny Montoya and wife, Bertha, of Cuba, NM, Eddie Montoya of Las Vegas, NM, Phil Montoya and wife, Loretta, and George Montoya, all of Albuquerque, NM, Arthur Montoya and wife, Rae, of LaJara, NM and Joseph Montoya and wife, Sherrie, of Albuquerque, NM. She graduated from Cuba High School at the top of her class. She was fluent in English and Spanish. She met her husband, of 52 years, during the summer of her senior year of high school. They married September 10, 1951 in Cuba, NM and she was a devoted and loving spouse and mother until the angels came for her. She was a woman who enjoyed gardening, taking care of family, painting, shopping and her grandchildren. She loved to ride horses and play basketball. She enjoyed cooking for family and said her food tasted better because she made it with love. Tillie seldom spoke without thinking about the consequences. The simple things in life, like feeding the birds, excited her. Prayer was a joy for her morning and night. She was a devoted member of Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. Tillie had recently retired from a 32-year career in Mary Kay Cosmetics where she was a Cadillac winning director and top in sales. Recently she had retired to devote all her time and love to taking care of her"amor" and lifelong partner, Frank. She attended caretaker support meetings at the VA and garnered much strength from those who attended. There are not enough words to begin to describe what an incredible person Tillie was: kind, caring, peaceful, intelligent, spiritual and loving. Gone but never forgotten, we can only thank God for allowing this angel to bless and enrich the lives she touched. Rosary will be recited Wednesday, July 2, 2003 at French Mortuary, 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE, 6:00 p.m. with Deacon Andy Chavez reciting. Mass will be celebrated Thursday, July 3, 2003, 10:00 a.m., at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 5310 Claremont Ave NE. Interment will take place at 1:30 p.m., at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Paul Montoya, Martin Chavez, Michael DeLuca, Michael Shaw, Leroy Montoya and Nicholas Cortese. Friends may visit French Mortuary, 10500 Lomas Blvd., Wednesday, July 2, 2003, 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. French Mortuary, Inc. 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE 275-3500
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