
Obituary
Obituary of Lydia Ortiz
Please share a memory of Lydia to include in a keepsake book for family and friends.
Lydia Correa Ortiz was born on August 24, 1943 in Brooklyn, New York to Julio Cervoni
Correa and Encarnacion Melendez. Since childhood, everyone in the family and most
friends have called her “Lily.” Lily grew up in Brooklyn, with her siblings Anna, Nilda, Laura,
Sylvia, Tony, Josephine, Nancy, Maryanne, Ralph, and Bobby at 67 Thompkins Avenue.
At almost 1 year of age, Lily’s father was lost at sea while serving in the U.S. Navy. This
unfortunate event led her mother to reach out to her sister, Josephine Din, for help in
raising her young daughter. Lily was then raised with an additional set of brothers and
sisters and their bond remained strong her entire life.
Lily met the love of her life, William Michael Ortiz, in junior high school. William often
told the story of how the first time he saw Lily walk across the school stage for her
perfect attendance award, he told himself that was the girl he was going to marry. This
proved to be true, and William stole Lydia’s heart. They were married in Brooklyn on July
11, 1965. Lily & Willie were wed 34 years and she was a devoted wife until his passing in
1999. She leaves behind two children, her daughter Michelle and her husband Michael, her
son William, Jr. and his wife Stephanie, along with her grandchildren Nicholas and his wife
Rainney, Matthew, Cira, Isabella, and Jake.
Lily and Willie first lived with his sister Alice and Danny, in their two family home on Pitkin
Avenue in Ozone Park. In 1976 the two had saved enough to purchase their own dream
home in Valley Stream, and 70 E. St. Mark’s Place became a loving residence for all family
and friends to gather. They even welcomed a golden retriever, Beauty!
Many family holidays were celebrated here, with a lot of laughter, fun, music and food.
Lily had a way of making everyone feel welcome. Family Christmas traditions that started
at Pitkin Avenue, continued in Valley Stream, such as singing the 12 Days of Christmas,
which her two eldest grandchildren were blessed to celebrate and sing that together one
last time with Grandma Lily this year.
Lily is a graduate of Maxwell High School and also went to secretarial school. She was a
payroll bookkeeper for many years at Eyeglass Services, Inc. Lily was also extremely
crafty and very talented with a sewing machine. She often made clothes for herself and
Michelle, even custom clothes for Michelle’s Barbie dolls! Lily also made curtains and all
sorts of cute items like stuffed Christmas trees that some of her long time friends may
still have. Lily always had a unique taste level and great sense of style.
Of all the roles Lily played, being a grandmother was certainly her favorite and she adored
her five grandchildren. “Grandma Adventures” started with her first grandchild and
continued to include her fabulous five grands, with outings to the beach, library,
McDonald’s Playplace (Five Guys, as they got older), countless parks, shows, plays, visits to
other family members and special events. She loved to shop and find things for her kids or
grandkids, always making sure everyone had what they needed. Lily loved singing, swimming,
playing games, and having fun.
Lily was a long time member of Bethel United Pentecostal Church and many refer to her as
one of the pillars of the church. She was a faithful member going back to the late 70’s
when the church was in Plainview. Lily was certainly the matriarch of the Ortiz-Rusinyak
family who led them to the gospel saving truth they still abide in today. She will always be
remembered for her zeal for life and love for the Lord.
All of her family members and friends will forever cherish the fond memories, times of
laughter, thoughtfulness, encouragement, her loyalty, and faithfulness. Lily’s life has left
an impression on all of our hearts and we were blessed to have her in our lives. Heaven,
she is now your gain…
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lydia Ortiz, please visit Tribute Store
Wednesday
22
January
Visitation
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Bethel Pentecostal Church
357 Jericho Turnpike
Old Westbury, New York, United States
(516) 338-1032
Need Directions?
Wednesday
22
January
Life Celebration
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Bethel Pentecostal Church
357 Jericho Turnpike
Old Westbury, New York, United States
(516) 338-1032
Need Directions?
Thursday
23
January
Prayers
11:30 am
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Bethel Pentecostal Church
357 JerichoTurnpike
Old Westbury, New York, United States
(516) 338-1032
Need Directions?
Thursday
23
January
Final Resting Place
1:00 pm
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Greenfield Cemetery
650 Nassau Road
Hempstead, New York, United States
Need Directions?
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In Loving Memory
Lydia Ortiz
1943 - 2025
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Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book.