Isabel A. Ortiz

1933 - 2023

Isabel A. Ortiz
February 12, 1933 - July 12, 2023
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Isabel A. Ortiz. Surrounded by family, Belle triumphantly entered heaven's gate on July 12, 2023. In the days prior, Belle was serenaded by hundreds of mariachi musicians who paid tribute to the Mother of Mariachi Music Education.
Belle was born on February 12, 1933, to Guadalupe & Roy Aguilar. She was raised on San Antonio's Westside along with her beloved younger brother, Roy Aguilar, Jr. She began playing the piano at age four and performed professionally with Latin orchestras throughout the city. She graduated from Sydney Lanier High School and Our Lady of the Lake University with a B.A. in Performance and Music Education.
In 1953, she married Daniel San Miguel, Jr., and their family grew with the births of Leticia, Daniel III, Annabelle, Rosanne, and Roland.
Belle began her teaching career at Edgewood Elementary and taught at Mackey Elementary (NISD) before accepting a position in the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD). At Barkley Elementary, Belle started Los Tejanitos, at Lanier High School, she began the nation's first high school ballet folklorico program, and the first full high school mariachi program at Jefferson High School. She created college mariachi education programs at San Antonio College and Texas A&I University. Today, over 2,500 school districts, colleges and universities throughout the world offer their students mariachi education.
It was through mariachi that Belle met her husband, Juan Ortiz. Their professional collaboration birthed Mariachi Campanas de America, the first International Mariachi Conference & Festival, and the Texas Association of Mariachi Educators. Together they utilized their talents to grow Mariachi Campanas de America into an award winning group of multi-talented musicians. They have performed at The White House for five Presidents, at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, with numerous symphonies, at international festivals, and at many premier venues worldwide.
Belle was active in many community organizations, serving on the boards of the Mexican American Unity Council, the Texas Diabetes Institute, the Ford Education Foundation, the Vikki Carr Foundation, and the San Antonio Area Retired Teachers' Council. Belle was inducted into the San Antonio Women's Hall of Fame and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Main Plaza Conservancy, the 2018 Inspire Award of SAISD Foundation, the Distinguished Service Award from SAISD, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber.
Belle was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Roy, Jr., her first husband, Daniel San Miguel, Jr., her son, Daniel San Miguel III, her daughter-in-law, Amada San Miguel, her granddaughter-in-law, Samantha Isaacs Van de Putte, and her great grandson, Rex Van de Putte.
Belle is survived by her husband, Juan Ortiz, and her children and their spouses, former Senator Leticia and Pete Van de Putte, Annabelle and Federal Judge Orlando Garcia, Rosanne and Pastor John Valenzuela of Grace Point NE, and Roland and Cindy San Miguel. Belle cherished her twenty grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren. Belle was beloved by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and compadres.

Belle's great talent and passion for the piano never dwindled. Through her instrument, she united and inspired people in song throughout her life and until her final days. Belle will be remembered by her compassionate spirit, quick wit, irresistible charm, contagious smile, her ability to inspire and empower people, and her unwavering love for family and friends. She was a woman of deep faith, always believing that Jesus Christ was her Lord and Savior. If anyone said "I love you" to Belle, her reply was always, "I love you more."
Services will be August 8th 2023, at Grace Point Church, 9650 Huebner Road. Public viewing will be at 5:00pm and the Celebration of Life and Rosary will begin at 6:30pm. Funeral service will be at 9:00am on August 9th at Grace Point Church, with burial at San Fernando Cemetery II at 11:00am.
As a lifelong educator, it was Belle's wish to assist students in achieving their higher education goals. To support the Belle Ortiz Mariachi Legacy Fund, gifts may be sent to the SAISD Foundation, 2411 San Pedro, San Antonio, TX 78212, or online at saisdfoundation.com, with "Belle Ortiz" in the comments.