Lydia Moreno Ortega, 89, went to be with the Lord on January 27, 2026. She was born on June 16, 1936 to Pedro Hernandez and Natalia Torres Moreno of San Antonio, Texas. She was a descendant of John Ferdinand Webber and Sylvia Hector Webber. The couple were among the first settlers of what is now Austin. After a move to Hidalgo, County, TX, along the Rio Grande, they are believed to have been conductors on the southern route of the Underground Railroad to Mexico.

Lydia was educated at Bowie Elementary, Horace Mann Junior High, the Holding Institute, and the Lydia Patterson Institute. She received her RN in Psychiatric Nursing from the San Antonio College Nursing Program and embarked on a decades-long career in caring for others. Lydia worked at the San Antonio State Hospital, the Nix, and the Baptist hospital before transitioning into private duty nursing. After 25 years in the field, she turned her focus to elder care, founding an adult care home for seniors. In 1982, with Mary Salas, Lydia co-founded ARCH (Alamo Residential Care Homes). Through ARCH, Lydia tirelessly advocated for seniors and caregivers alike. She also worked to have residential care homes formally recognized by state and local governments, championing the creation of structured policies and procedures that allowed seniors to receive dignified care within their communities instead of in the traditional nursing home system. Her efforts helped shape standards that still impact elder care in Texas.

Lydia is survived by her son, Michael; two daughters, Debra Ortega (Javier) and Jennifer Ortega (Curtis); grandchildren, Alaia (Panos) and Alatz; sisters Irene Castaneda (Adan) and Elida Moreno; nephews, nieces and countless friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Kelly; her parents, Pedro and Natalia Moreno; two brothers, Moses and Rudy T. Moreno; a sister, Esther Hope Lopez (Crisanto); and nephew, Christopher Lopez.

Lydia is remembered for her outgoing personality––"she never met a stranger"––her kindness, generosity, boldness, and strength. She loved helping those in need, traveling, food, mariachis, casinos, the beach, dancing, and animals. Most of all, Lydia loved spending time with her sisters, nieces, and children.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Thursday, February 19, 2026

9:00AM Prayer Service - The Angelus Funeral Home

10:15AM  Procession to Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery

11:00AM-11:30AM - Graveside Services

Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery

Saturday, February 21, 2026

Celebration and Blessing for the life of Lydia Ortega

The Little Church of La Villita  11:00AM

A reception will follow at Rosario's ComidaMex and Bar.

*Please wear festive and colorful clothes to celebrate Lydia*

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to

Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas and Haven for Hope of Bexar County.