MARIA CRUZ ORTIZ, 75, longtime Brush resident, died Saturday evening at her home. She was born May 3, 1933 in Durango, Mexico to Estanislada Hernandez. She married Nieves Ortiz in Durango on February 16, 1952. They moved to Brush from Denver in 1988. Mrs. Ortiz was a member of Saint Helen Catholic Church in Fort Morgan. She enjoyed cooking, crocheting, knitting, and gardening. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Survivors include her husband, Nieves Ortiz of Brush; eleven children, Damaso Ortiz, Floriberta Rivera, Samuel Ortiz, Maria Garcia, and Savina Avalos, all of Brush, Olga Cerda of Fort Morgan, Joe Ortiz of Greeley, Esteban Ortiz of Denver, Guadalupe Ortiz of Kansas, Alberto Ortiz of New Mexico, and Felix Ortiz of Washington. She is also survived by 39 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother and three sisters. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 6th from 1 – 7 PM with a Rosary Vigil at 7:00 PM, both at the Heer Mortuary Chapel in Brush. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, January 7th at 10:00 AM at Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Brush. Interment will follow in the Brush Memorial Cemetery.