New York, New York
With Her Son Again
In her native Colombia, Sonia Ortiz was forced to work as a seamstress from an early age. After she immigrated to the United States in 1971, she landed a job as a janitor at the World Trade Center and eventually was promoted to run the freight elevator serving Windows on the World.
With her earnings, she bought a tidy two- story brick house in Flushing, Queens, that she filled with fanciful knicknacks, including place mats with pictures of cherubs, and porcelain figurines of fairy tale characters. "Everything we have today is because of her," said her son, Victor.
In the photograph that her children have posted on bulletin boards of the missing, Mrs. Ortiz is dressed demurely in her work outfit -- white blouse and black bow tie -- and is holding a Spanish-language book about life after death. Her children said she became fascinated with that subject after her son, Wilson, died of a brain aneurysm nine years ago, at 26.
"She was absolutely convinced there is a God and an afterlife," said her daughter, Alexa Ortiz. "She always said she wanted to be up there with my brother. If there's any comfort, it's knowing that she's with him now."
Sonia you are never forgotten. Today, your life is remembered and celebrated. May the Lord richly bless those you loved with peace and comfort knowing you are in the arms of Jesus, reunited with your son. God bless and rest in peace
September 11, 2023 | FL
You’re grandson John Paul remembers you, the way you showed your love, for him and Angela, it’s come around in such a beautiful karma way. John Paul , and his father Victor, will remember your thoughtfulness for the rest of their lives. Our lives. Yvonne Heneghan.
Yvonne Heneghan
August 06, 2020 | Family
You’re grandson John Paul remembers you, the way you showed your love, for him and Angela, it’s come around in such a beautiful karma way. John Paul , and his father Victor, will remover your thoughtfulness for the rest of their lives. Our lives. Yvonne Heneghan.
Yvonne Heneghan
August 06, 2020 | Family
Rest peacefully, Sonia....
Alexander
January 22, 2020
Thinking of you today, as every year.
Yiska
September 11, 2018 | Israel
What a beautiful tribute. I dont know who put the rose there but means so much to all who see it.
Rebecca Collins
July 05, 2018
I'm thinking of Mrs. Ortiz and her family left behind. I remember now how beautiful I thought she was, what a warm and loving person she seemed like, in the picture I saw on the missing person poster. There's a reason her name and her picture has stayed with me. I don't know what it is, but G-d wanted me to specifically remember her then and now, and I do.
I hope, as always, that each year brings you a new comfort even as it deepens your loss.
Yiska in Israel
September 10, 2017
victor ortiz
September 12, 2016
We carry your memory wherever we go.I MISS YOU DEARLY MOM!!!! :(
Victor ortiz
September 12, 2016 | AZ
