Memorial Service to To Be Held on November 14 For Couple Killed By Driver on Tuesday Morning in Gaithersburg

A celebration of Life & Memorial Service will be held on Monday, November 14, 2022 for Miguel Antonio Ortiz and Ana Margarita Ortiz, who were tragically killed by a driver while walking to their polling place in Gaithersburg on the morning of Tuesday, November 8th. Visitation will take place from 9:30 am-11 am, followed by a Memorial Service from 11 am-12 pm at Neelsville Presbyterian Church, 20701 Frederick Rd, Germantown, MD 20876. A private graveside burial will take place later in the day.

Their obituary, per Sagel Bloomfield Danzansky: Miguel Antonio Ortiz (65) and his beloved wife, Ana Margarita Ortiz (70), originally from El Salvador, and longtime resident of Gaithersburg, Maryland, tragically passed away on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, as the result of their injuries after being struck by a speeding car.

Ana and Miguel are survived by their devoted and loving children, Mike Ortiz (Lori Ortiz) of Indian Trail, NC; 3 children, Peyton, Jacob & Taylor; Steve Ortiz (Zita Ortiz) of Frederick, MD; 2 children, Jadon & Jaxon, Amy Ortiz Currier (Edward Currier) of Bremerton, WA; 2 children Isla & Grayson, Ricky Ortiz (Leah Ortiz) of Ardmore, PA; 2 children Cadence & Lenox.

Miguel’s and Ana’s beautiful love story started when they both separately moved to the US in the mid-1970s. They met briefly and knew each other from afar through mutual acquaintances in their home country. As kids, Ana previously knew Miguel as the cute young little boy, four years her junior. Over the years, Ana grew a curious appetite for traveling and emigrated to the US when she was only 19 and briefly, but adventurously, lived in Los Angeles and Colorado Springs. Meanwhile, Miguel was invited to live with his father in Maryland. As a matter of fate, Miguel’s family knew Ana, and she became a house guest of the Ortiz family. When they saw each other for the first time, she recognized him, and her first impression was that he was still cute, but the young boy had grown into a handsome man. They fell in love fast and hard. Ana always mentioned he had a particular and endearing way of showing affection. He once killed a bee and placed it on her hand to woo her. She jumped from her seat, and he was amused, and they both laughed hysterically. Ana was extroverted and funny, and Miguel was quiet and soft-spoken. They magically balanced each other out, bringing out one another’s best qualities. Their love endured the highs and lows of life’s challenges, but they persevered and worked hard to make a living as young immigrants in the US.

Ana and Miguel married a year later, and they had their first son Michael, followed by Steve, Amy, and Ricky over the coming years. They worked multiple jobs and long hours to ensure they gave their loving family a chance for a good life. Their immense work ethic helped them to achieve their goal of buying their first home and moving to a safer area for their children. When Ricky turned one, they moved to Gaithersburg, Maryland, where they could give their children a better chance to thrive. They truly loved their home and their wonderful neighborhood in Shady Grove Village. Although it was quite far from friends and family, as they would literally drive past the cornfields to get to their new house, they saw it evolve and develop into the buzzing town Gaithersburg is now. Their social life revolved around their family, home, and the intense love of football. Watching and cheering on the Redskins each Sunday was a family tradition.

Ana was a homemaker at heart. Her passion for cleaning and organizing was widely known by anyone who met her. She loved baking El Salvadoran quesadillas and picadillo while developing a keen interest in Jewish fare. Her Jewish friends shared recipes, and she would make a special brisket for Christmas, kugel, and matzoh ball soup around the holidays.

In the early 1990s, Miguel and Ana achieved another goal of becoming US citizens. A goal that they were very proud to say they had achieved. A few years later, encouraged by their two youngest children, Amy and Ricky, who met the Lord while on a trip to El Salvador to visit their grandmother over the summer, they started attending church. From there, Miguel and Ana devoted their lives to God and Family. Miguel became an ordained pastor and started working with his Church, Promesas de Dios, in Washington, DC. They loved spending their time and weekends devoted to the service of the Lord. Their children started getting married, and Ana passionately prayed for grandkids to love and adore. Little did she know that they would be blessed with nine little ones in the future to love on.

Miguel and Ana found great joy in their interactions with their grandchildren and loved singing Los Pollitos Dicen, taking walks to the park, spoiling them endlessly, and smothering them with love. After working so hard for so many years, they thrived by slowing down a little and spending more time with their children and grandchildren.

Ana retired, and Miguel was nearing retirement before their untimely death. They were looking forward to a quieter time and enjoying their golden years in warmer weather. Everyone who knew the loving couple knew them to be inseparable. Miguel took care of Ana steadfastly and always preferred to accompany or give her a ride rather than ever see her go out alone. They enjoyed their time together, and they were truly one soul. It is only fitting that as this devoted husband and wife were a couple in life and in death, so they will be together eternally.

Their passing leaves a massive hole in their family’s hearts. Their children wholeheartedly remember them as loving parents who would do anything for them, the hardest workers in any room with an amazing work ethic that they could only hope to live up to. Miguel and Ana were devoted to God, their family, and their church community. They were the best example of selfless, undying love and a commitment to work hard to pave the way for their children’s opportunities. They shared a sweet and unconditional love that prevailed; even in death, they found a way to be together. Each of their children finds comfort in knowing they lived a happy, fulfilling life and that their work on this earth was complete. They met their Savior together in heaven, Revelations 21:4- He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.

In lieu of flowers in Ana’s and Miguel’s memory, donations can be made to a Go Fund Me account that has been established to help cover the unexpected expenses of their tragic passing: https://gofund.me/f0a9b36e

Their Faith and Family were the central focus of their life. Their legacy will never be forgotten. In loving remembrance from their family: Mike, Lori, Peyton, Jacob, Taylor, Steve, Zita, Jadon, Jaxon, Amy, Edward, Isla, Grayson, Ricky, Leah, Cadence, and Lenox.