Paula Cortez

Paula Cortez, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, church member, and friend, passed away on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Waxahachie, Texas. Paula will be deeply missed by those who were so very blessed to have her in their life.

On Sunday, January 25, 1925, Paula was born to her parents, Gustavo Sanchez and Hilaria Ibarra in Shepherd, Michigan. Even as a little girl, Paula displayed her strong will and loving heart that many came to admire. Paula married Santiago Cortez, and together they had eight beautiful children. Being an attentive and caring wife and mother was one of the greatest passions of Paula’s life. Through her love and strong will, her family prospered. The other great passion of Paula’s life was her relationship with her God. She was a devoted member of St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church in Dallas, Texas. Paula was a woman of prayer. She kept a list of prayer requests and a basket of prayer books by her bed. Each night, she went through her list of prayer requests and lifted those prayers to her Lord. Aside from her family and her relationship for God, Paula had many joys within her life. She greatly enjoyed cooking for her large family. Paula’s favorite dish to cook was pork steaks. Paula also liked to fish by the lake. When she caught all the fish she could, Paula would cook the fish for her family to enjoy. Anyone who went to Paula’s house knew she had a “green thumb.” She enjoyed growing the many plants that lined her back porch. Plants were not just the only things that flourished under the hands of Paula. She excelled at crocheting cozy blankets and sewing beautiful needlepoint designs. Paula’s handiwork was displayed throughout her home for family and friends to enjoy. However, no matter what she was doing at the time, once “The Fugitive” came on TV, Paula stopped whatever had her occupied to watch Dr. Richard Kimble’s adventures with her family. Paula Cortez loved her family so dearly much. Her love and her care will be remembered by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchild forevermore.

Paula Cortez is survived by her devoted children, Raymond Cortez and his wife, Janice, Santiago “Jimmy” Cortez, Jr., and his wife, Melinda, Guadalupe Hayes and her husband, Bruce, Maria Espiricueta and her husband, Phillip, Anita “Annie” Villareal, Sylvia Sorio and her husband, Michael, and Rosa Maria Cortez; her 24 grandchildren; her 43 great-grandchildren; her great-great-grandchild; and numerous friends and church members. Paula Cortez is preceded in death by her loving husband, Santiago Cortez, and her son, Andrew Cortez.

A visitation will be held in honor of Paula Cortez’s life on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Hughes Family Tribute Center. The rosary will be conducted at 6:30 PM during the visitation by Gonzalo Gonzales. The funeral service for Paula Cortez will be held on Thursday, March 8, 2018 at 10:00 AM at Hughes Family Tribute Center. Paula Cortez will be laid to rest by her husband, Santiago Cortez, at Calvary Hill Cemetery immediately following her funeral service.

Paula Cortez loved deeply and passionately all those she knew, just as she was loved in return by all who were blessed to know her.