Photo courtesy of Adams Funeral Chapel - Charleston
Sep 30, 1924 - Oct 18, 2017
I miss you so much, Titi but I take great comfort knowing I’ll see you again!
E Cooper
October 20, 2020 | Dania Beach, FL | Family
QDEP, mi Titi Lala. Aunque no pude asistir tu misa hoy en Charleston, siento tu presencia muy fuerte conmigo hoy. Gracias por haber reconocido--según los relatos--en mis primeros garabatos cuando yo era todavía criatura, algo como interés o talento. Supuestamente, fué a tu sugerencia que mi mamá me compró mi primer caja de crayolas, dándole chispa a un fuego que me ha alumbrado todos mis días. Gracias por haber abrigado a mi mamá en la bóveda de tu amor en esos días de Mambo en Nueva York,...
Gabriel Ortiz
November 10, 2017 | Los Angeles, CA
Dr. Ortiz was my Advisor, professor and friend. Her example helped shape my professional life as a Spanish teacher. She cared very much about her students and wanted us to be prepared to enter our careers. One special memory is the dinner she hosted at her house for the senior students who were about to graduate. The main entree was asopao, a Puerto Rican dish which I now serve to family and friends, always giving credit for this delicious recipe to Miss Ortiz. I am so blessed to have known...
Sue Davis Bennett
November 07, 2017 | Springfield, IL
My beautiful Titi Geral was a living epistle. Delicately penned with loving kindness. She lived passionately and gave generously of all that she had. The world is a bit emptier without her presence. She will be sorely missed.
"A woman's heart should be so hidden in God that a man has to seek Him just to find her."
Maya Angelou
Edith Cooper
November 05, 2017 | Dania Beach, FL
Sorry for your loss. She was my Great Aunt and will be remembered as a full of life person.
Eduardo Bas-Ortiz
November 03, 2017
CHARLESTON, IL – Geraldina Ortiz-Muñiz, age 93 of Charleston and formerly of Puerto Rico, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, October 18, 2017 while at Hilltop Skilled Nursing and Rehab. Visitation will be held from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. with a Rosary Service at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church located at 921 Madison Street in Charleston. The Funeral Mass honoring and celebrating her life will begin at 10:30 a.m. immediately following the visitation with Father Hyland Smith officiating. Inurnment will be in Puerto Rico at a later date. It is requested that in lieu of flowers, thoughtful donations in her honor be made to the E.I.U. Foundation – Geraldina Ortiz-Muñiz Spanish Scholarship, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, or to the Newman Catholic Center. Gifts may be left at the visitation or funeral mass or mailed in care of Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920.
Geraldina was born September 30, 1924 in the town of Naguabo, Puerto Rico. Her parents were Gabriel Ortiz and Clotilda Muñiz. She was the only girl of six children, all professionals: Roberto (Engineer), Eddie (Physicist), William (Pharmacist), Gabriel (Biologist) and Arturo (Engineer). Her only surviving brother is Gabriel, who lives in Miramar, Florida with his wife Daisy Torres Ortiz. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and their families: Roberto, Irma, Surama, William, Ana Margarita, Gabriel, Edith, Arturo and Ivonne.
Gerry completed elementary and secondary school in Naguabo and in 1944 obtained her BA at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Branch. Upon graduating she taught at the Superior School in Naguabo. In 1948, Geraldina along with her mother and several of her brothers moved to New York City. Four years later she enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Upon termination of her military service in 1956, she began her doctoral studies at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, received her Master of Arts in 1958 and her PhD in 1960 with a specialization in Spanish Peninsular Literature. That year she returned to the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Branch, where she taught until 1962. Gerry then moved to the United States and made Charleston her home, and was a Professor of Spanish Language and Literature at Eastern Illinois University.
Gerry loved to travel and made many trips abroad with her dear friend, Barbara Busch. She loved classical music and had accumulated quite an extensive collection. One of her strong characteristics was hospitality. She invited everyone she encountered to her home for coffee and insisted in serving them cookies or other sweets. She was a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan and stuck with them through thick and thin – praise the Lord she was able to enjoy their great World Series Championship.
Gerry was an amazing woman and accomplished much in her 93 years. She will be missed by her family and close friends.
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