Olympia Dolores Ortega-Marquez

Olympia Dolores Ortega Marquez passed away peacefully on October 24, 2011. She lived her entire life of nearly 93 years in Santa Barbara and devoted much of it to her family, friends and community. She was the daughter of the late William Paul Ortega and Rosalie Cota Ortega, and the sister of the late Timothy (Blanche) Badillo and Barbara Ortega (Ben) Cordero. She is survived by her loving brother, Henry Ortega and numerous nieces and nephews on both sides of the Ortega and Marquez families. Her beloved husband of 68 years, Edward D. Marquez, preceded her in death in 2010. She is survived by three sons: Edward “Tinker” Marquez, Walter (Jenni) Marquez, and Robert (Norma) Marquez along with five grand children: Lia Marquez; Jeffrey (Debbie) and Molly Marquez; Matthew and Scott Marquez. Two great-grandsons are expected in the coming months. As a descendant of Vicente Ortega, the recipient of an original Spanish land grant along the California coast north of SB, Olympia was fiercely proud of her Spanish heritage. Family names dot the street corners in the City of Santa Barbara; Ortega, Cota, Carrillo and others. For decades, she was an active member of the Native Daughters of the Golden West Tierra Del Oro Parlor, which allowed her to participate and volunteer in a variety of community activities and events. One of her favorites was Fiesta, where she made Spanish dresses for herself and her sister and costumes for the children and worked with other members in creating floats for the parade depicting early California life in Santa Barbara. She loved the dances and Spanish songs of yesteryear and enjoyed the telling of her Spanish roots to her family and those close to her. One of her many passions was helping the Poor Clare Sisters at the Old Mission. Olympia was a devout member of her church, Holy Cross Chapel on the Mesa. Later in life when she and her husband were unable to attend, it was important to them that they be able to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion at home. For that, she felt truly blessed and most thankful to parish members who visited them weekly. She was a pillar within her family and was always available to friends and those in need. She gave comfort with food, housing, financial support as well as compassion, love and prayer. Olympia was active with her husband, Eddie, in the Optimist Club as a volunteer in service projects aimed at providing a helping hand to youth in positive ways. “Limp” as she was called, had a close knit group of friends and neighbors with whom she met to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. She remarked these times were some of the best and these friendships lasted a lifetime. They were appropriately named “The Knitting Club” and they became an excellent source of the latest recipe or newest joke. The love of family and the past were clearly evident over the years as she painstakingly researched volumes of historical records at the Old Mission and Santa Barbara Library for her family genealogy. Two trips to Spain were the culmination of her desire to connect with her past. The information in her hand-written notes took years to compile and is a treasured document to her family. Much of it may now be accessible to her great-grandchildren and future generations in a matter of seconds on the internet. The Marquez family wishes to acknowledge and thank her numerous caregivers who watched over Olympia and Eddie with compassion and dignity the last several years of their lives. She will be missed by her family and her few remaining friends on this earth, but what a reunion she is having as she leaves this world and enters into God’s eternal home taking her place by His side. The Rosary will be held at 7:00 PM on Friday, November 4, at Welch-Ryce-Haider Funeral Chapel, 15 East Sola St. The funeral mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, November 5, at Holy Cross Chapel, 1740 Cliff Drive, with interment immediately following at Calvary Cemetery.

Olympia Dolores Ortega-Marquez

January 2, 1919 - October 24, 2011