ROSEMARIE ORTIZ

On August 29, 2024, heaven welcomed a new angel. Rosemarie Ortiz was born on May 24, 1951 in Honolulu to Clarence Souza Sr. and Catherine Perreira Souza. She was the oldest of 7 children, who from an early age learned the meaning of hard work, resiliency and Love of God and Family. Her Faith and dedication to her family remained ever present, even as she battled Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) with great dignity and courage.

As a young girl, she absolutely loved working outdoors and helping her father and uncles tend to the animals on their family-owned farm known as the “Souza Brothers Dairy”, which was located on the east side of Kane’ohe. Her grandfather, Alfred Souza Sr. started the Dairy Farm back in 1943 and ran it with his 3 sons, Clarence Souza Sr, Alfred Souza Jr. and Manuel Souza. The Souza Brothers managed 6 acres of land, as many as 300 cows and produced nearly 1500 gallons of milk a day up until the City purchased the property in 1972 and redesignated the farm as “Kaluapuhi Neighborhood Park”. Despite the new name given by the City, residents of the community continued to call it the “Souza Dairy Park”, after the dairy farm her father and uncles operated there for 3 decades. For years, the Souza family petitioned City Hall to have the Park name changed to reflect the desires of the local community and finally on Nov. 18, 2020, the City held a renaming ceremony for which she attended and the park was officially renamed as the “Souza Dairy Park” in honor of her Family's Legacy.

In 1968, While working on the Dairy Farm, she met her life partner & beloved husband: Wilbert J. Ortiz. They dated for several years and formed a family together with his son Wilbert L. Ortiz Jr., when they married on March 06, 1970. Shortly after she graduated from Castle High School, they had their first child together on August 30, 1970 and named him Wilfred J. Ortiz. They went on to growing their family together by having four more children: William, Regina, and twin boys Daniel & David Ortiz.

Up until her passing at age 73, she lived life to the fullest, cherishing each day as a Gift from God. Her greatest joys in life were being married for 54 yrs, having children, being a homemaker, attending family gatherings, spending time with her children and grandchildren and traveling with her husband, Wilbert J. Ortiz and their children. All those who knew her, knew she was a loving wife, supportive mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt & friend who found joy in helping and caring for others, especially when it came to her family and friends. She was the definition of “selflessness”. She had a heart of gold and a smile so infectious that it could brighten any room she was in. Her family was her life, and she would do anything for them. She lived a full and happy life and before she passed, she stated she had “No Regrets”. Although she has gone to Heaven, she will be missed but NEVER forgotten!

Rosemarie is survived by her loving husband, Wilbert J. Ortiz; her children: Wilbert L. Ortiz Jr; William (Wendi) Ortiz; Regina (Michael) Matsumura; Daniel (Elizabeth) Ortiz; David (Michelle) Ortiz; her brothers Clarence Souza Jr, Alfred (Cindy) Souza, Herbert (Moonyean) Souza, Michael (Sandi) Souza, Phillip Souza, sister Ruby Ann Souza and she was preceded in death by her late son Wilfred J. Ortiz. She has 15 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, whom she loved dearly.

A “Celebration of Life” ceremony will be held at Hawaiian Memorial Park on October 12, 2024 at 10:30am – 1:30pm. Visitation from 10:30 - 12pm. Service at 12:00pm. Service officiated by assistant pastor Melvin Honda of Apostolic Faith Church. Burial at 1:30Pm. Burial at 1:30pm. Casual Attire. Arrangements Provided by: Hawaiian Memorial Park.