Candie M. Ortiz

Candie Martinez Ortiz was born in Stanton, Ca on August 29, 1932, to Sophia Aguirre and Santiago Martinez. She had 10 siblings and grew up during the depression and World War II. She worked in the fields in Delano, Ca. Alongside her siblings and her parents she said that the school bus would drop her and her siblings off at the fields where her parents were working. When she was 18 years old, she went to Los Angeles to get steady employment. That is where she met and married her husband Gabino Avendano Ortiz to whom she was married for 62 years until he passed away on August 6, 2014. They had three children, Angelina, Sophia, and Danny. Gabino and Candie moved their family from Los Angeles to Kern County in 1968 where they tried farming, but it wasn't for them, so they went on to start a livestock business which turned out to be a very successful for them. Candie was a very happy, vibrant woman. She loved to sing, and she had a beautiful voice. Candie's life revolved around her family. She loved her husband, three children, 14 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren and 14 great great grandchildren. In her later years after her husband Gabino passed away she enjoyed spending time at the Shafter Walker Senior Center where she made many good friends. She would go every day that they were open. Candie is survived by her daughter Angelina, her son in law Enrique Salazar, her grandchildren Rick Salazar, Paul Salazar, Chris Salazar, Laurissa Salazar, Gabino Salazar, Anthony Urbina, Becky Urbina, Veronica Urbina, Jamie Urbina, Anthanica Ortiz, Candie Ortiz, Isabel Ortiz, Danielle Ortiz, and Danette Ortiz and 36 great grandchildren and 14 great great grandchildren. Her brother Johnny Martinez and sister Mary Licea. She was preceded in death by her parents her husband Gabino, her daughter Sophie and son Danny as well as her siblings, Rita, Tammie, Lawrence, Frances, Carmen, Molly, Paulie, Christine and her sister Mary (who passed away four days after Candie). To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Candie, please visit our Tree Store.