Nicole E. Ortiz, 31, was born on July 14, 1983 in Stoneham. She passed way on Wednesday, September 24 at her home in Los Angeles, California.
Ms. Ortiz is survived by her beloved parents, Michael S. Ortiz and Debra Briggs Ortiz, three siblings: Amanda L. Ortiz, Mallory R. Ortiz and Michael A. Ortiz (who was also her Godson), and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and her paternal grandparents. She had previously survived her cherished aunt and Godmother, Susan Briggs DiLiberto by several months.
Nicole is a graduate of Medford High School in the city that she was raised. During high school she actively engaged in athletic activities that would prepare her for an enlistment in the United States Army National Guard just one day after her birthday. She dutifully and bravely served her country during the tumultuous year of 2003 in Operation Iraqi Freedom. She was one of many female veterans in the 1058th Transportation Company that would send letters of encouragement home to their family members. She made many new brothers and sisters during her enlistment and deployment overseas. She recalled that the epitome of sisterhood is when you are in the desert of a foreign land, sleeping in a tent where “you are taking water bottle showers and holding the towel up for one another so no one else can see”. The loyalty and patriotism she learned in the United States Army National Guard never left her, as friends and family will attest.
As a child, she was a creative and expressive young lady. She loved to read, she loved to write and surely loved the spotlight. She learned a wonderful work ethic as fostered by her father. She had her mother’s blue eyes. As she grew older, she began to train actively for a future enlistment in the military. With her best friend Heather Fields-Twombly, she could be spotted rollerblading or running throughout the streets of Medford. They had enlisted in the military together. After her deployment, she opted for a quieter and less tumultuous career at Elizabeth Grady, school of Esthetics. She then proceeded to open her own small business. Her success in business at that time could be directly attributed to her work ethic and her natural ability to want to help others. Her loyalty to friends and family was legendary. She took pride in the fact that she always knew what to say to make someone laugh. Nicole moved to California in 2008 and left it all behind to pursue her longing of the ocean, brightly-colored sunsets, and a pace much different than that of her native New England.
"The life of those passed is placed in the memory of the living"
Funeral from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford Saturday October 11, at 9 AM followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Raphael Church, 512 High St., Medford, at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Friday 4 - 8 pm. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. Late U.S. Army veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
As an expression of sympathy memorial contributions may be sent in Nicole’s name to the Veterans Advocacy Services, Inc., 220 Hill Rd., Groton, MA 01450. "Leave No Veteran Behind".