Dr. Julia Ann Mayer Orozco

NEW YORK, NY: Dr. Julia Ann Mayer Orozco was born on July 9, 1947 in Shelby, Ohio to parents Margaret Jane Basinger Mayer and James Joseph Mayer. She was the first of 10 children.

Dr. Orozco attended St. Mary's elementary school and St. Peter's high school. It was during a high school trip sponsored by St. Peter's that she first went to New York City in 1962. She immediately fell in love with the Big Apple, and moved there in 1971 to attend Fordham University, where she received her Master's Degree in Spanish. She went on to receive a Ph.D. in Latin American Literature from Columbia University, writing her dissertation on the poetry and work of Nicaraguan priest, writer, and liberation theologian Ernesto Cardenal.

Dr. Orozco made her career as a Spanish language teacher, and taught at Fordham and Columbia Universities as well as various public and private high schools around New York City. Her longest and most recent tenure was at Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School, also in New York City, where she was a popular and dedicated teacher for the last 24 years.

Dr. Orozco was an indefatigably devoted master practitioner. She taught Spanish language and literature at every level, with many of her students earning advanced-placement college credit. She incorporated her vast knowledge of Latin American and Spanish history, literature and current events into her courses to keep her classes lively and relevant. As a strong believer in social justice, she strove to instill in her students a sense of world citizenship and social responsibility.

As a mother, sister, daughter, aunt, writer, teacher, thinker, and friend, she touched many lives. Her love, nurturance, brilliance and originality made the world a better place for those who knew her, and for many who didn't.

Dr. Orozco passed away on the morning of November 27, 2013. She is survived by her daughter, Ana Paloma Orozco; and her nine siblings: James, Philip, Barbara, Mark, Margaret, Matthew, Luke, John, and Therese.

A memorial Mass for Dr. Orozco will be celebrated at St. Peter's Church, 54 South Mulberry Street, Mansfield on Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 11:30AM.