Elisa J. Ortiz, beloved aunt, great-aunt, godmother and teacher, born to Antonia Jasso Ortiz and Juan A. Ortiz, on November 24, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois, passed away on April 18, 2016.  She was preceded in death by her mother, Antonia J. Ortiz, and nephew, Edward O. Menchaca.  She is survived by her sister, Ofelia O. Menchaca, nieces: Lillian O. Menchaca, Edna (Frank) Davila, and nephew, Richard O. Menchaca (Annie), and her great-nieces, Laura (Henry) Garza, Angela, Lexi and Amberly Davila, and great-nephews Richard M. Menchaca, and Frank Michael Davila.  She was also blessed by her great-great-niece and nephew, Lucy and Henry Garza.

Elisa was a 1948 graduate of Lanier High School, and earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the Texas State University.  She was employed by the Edgewood School District, and retired from the SAISD district after 30 years.  She worked for the Head Start Program and the ESL program during the summer months, and attended various colleges to further her knowledge and teaching skills.  Elisa loved teaching and working with children, and would tell stories about many of her wonderful students.  Elisa was well known for her loving, gentle and kind ways.  She loved gardening, and had beautiful roses and daises, her favorite flowers.  She and her sister, Ofelia, participated in the Starving Artist Show at La Villita, for many years, where she sold her baby blankets, cross stitch items, dolls and needle point.  You knew you were truly blessed when she gave you one as a gift.  Elisa and her sister were like two peas in a pod, and would go every Saturday to get their hair done, and then go shopping. And every time there was a Spurs game, they would be on the phone with each other, cheering the Spurs on.

Elisa was well known for her potato salad, pecan pies and lemon meringue bars. Elisa was the "little mother" to Ofelia's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was very involved in our family, and we were truly blessed to have known her, and to have had her in our family.  Every day we will miss her.  The family would all like to say a special thank you to Annie Menchaca, for all her loving and tender care of our precious family member, and for all that Annie did for Elisa, not because she had to, but because she wanted to.  Annie is truly a wonderful person, and we are grateful for everything she did, and are extremely lucky to have her.