Olga Cortez

Olga Maria Cortez , 59, of Sunnyside went to be with the Lord, Wednesday December 4, 2013 at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle surrounded by her family. Olga was a longtime resident of Sunnyside and will be greatly missed by many. Olga was born on January 27, 1954 at Prosser Memorial Hospital to Jose Roberto and Francisca Alaniz. She was the second to the youngest of seven girls. She grew up in Sunnyside where she received her schooling. Olga met her lifelong soul mate and the love of her life, George A. Cortez, at a dance in 1969 at the age of 15. They fell deeply in love and married the following year in April of 1970, and had 3 children. Olga and George were devoted members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints. She held many positions of leadership in her church: Relief Society, Primary, and Young Women. Her faith in Christ was very important to her. Olga was a intelligent woman who knew exactly what she wanted as a career; so she continued to pursue her college degrees in Social Work through Heritage University where she received her AA and BA in Social Work. Upon completion of these degrees, she went on to obtain her Master’s Degree in Social Work through Eastern Washington University. Olga worked for P.J Swofford for 15 years as a receptionist. After completing her degrees, she pursued her career in social work and worked for Planned Parenthood as an advocate for teen mothers. She worked there for 3 years. She then went on to work for CPS in Sunnyside as a social worker for 2 years then transferred to CPS office in Toppenish. Olga’s passion was to help people of all ages. Her last employment was through Yakima Memorial Hospital through hospice working with the terminally ill. As a social worker, she would visit their homes and provide counseling and comfort through the hardest times of their lives. Olga had a special connection with all her patients and all their families. She is survived by her husband George A. Cortez and sons George Michael Cortez and Jose M. Cortez and one daughter Corina Nicole (Ed) Villalobos, who all reside in Sunnyside; 6 sisters Thelma (Domingo) Cantu, Yolanda (Alonzo) Maganas, Nora (Leo) Hernandez, Mary (Chano) Rangel, Nelda Alaniz, Elda (Manuel) Cuevas; 6 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of Olga’s life will be held on Monday December 9, 2013 at Valley Hills Funeral Home in Sunnyside from 4 to 6pm. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday December, 10 2013 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 12:00 Noon. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Olga Cortez, please visit our flower store.