Obituary of Francisca C Ortiz

Francisca C. Ortiz, whom many lovingly knew her as Hra. Panchita, was born on April 29, 1934 in the city of Arecibo, Puerto Rico. She was the daughter of Don Damaso Castillo and Doña Sixta Betancourt whom had a total of 9 children. Hna. Panchita was educated in the schools of Puerto Rico. In 1953, at the age of 18, she decided to leave her country and move to the USA. When Hna. Panchita first came to this country, she resided in the city of Camden, NJ, then moved to the Bronx, NY, and then she finally decided to move back to the city of Camden where she lived until the day that she departed from us to be with the Lord. In 1951, Hna. Panchita met a man named Evangelista Rodriguez Sr., whom she later married and from whom she had 3 children, Ana Maria Rodriguez, Elizabeth Rodriguez, and Evangelista Rodriguez Jr. As the years went by, Hna. Panchita's husband and her were separated leaving her alone with her 3 children thus becoming a single mom. Yet, later on in life, she met a man named Isaac Ortiz whom since 1965 were together, raising her 3 young children. After 51 years of being together, Hno. Isaac Ortiz departed from her to be with the Lord, leaving her a widow and living alone for the last 7 months of her life with her dear son. On March 30, 1971, Hna. Panchita attended a church service in the city of Camden, NJ whose Pastor was Rev. Manuel Colon. There she was touched so much by the message that was preached on that night that she made the decision of giving her life to the Lord Jesus Christ and she received him that same night as her own personal savior. From there, she attended the church that was located on 27th and Hayes Streets, whose Pastor was Rev. Fernando Gracia. On January1976, she came to fellowship at "Door of Salvation Pentecostal Church of the Assemblies of God", whose current Pastor is Rev. Edwin A. Martinez, and his associate Pastor Johnny R. Rodriguez. There she stayed and worshipped until the day she departed from this world to be with the Lord. During the 40 years that she congregated at Door of Salvation Church, Hna. Panchita had multiple positions and was one of the strongest pillars of the church. Hna. Panchita's hobbies were so many. She always loved reading books – especially "The Bible", the Word of God. She loved writing Bible studies. She loved to pray and she loved to fast. She loved to talk to the lost souls including those who were incarcerated and also those who resided at My Brother's Keeper halfway house. She loved knitting and she also loved cooking for people that she loved. She loved listening to Christian music and she loved to watch classic movies in Spanish. But the one thing that she loved the most was – Her Lord, God and savior, Jesus Christ. For many people, Hna. Panchita will be deeply missed. She is survived by her son Evangelista Rodriguez, Jr. and her daughter Elizabeth Jimenez. She leaves behind 9 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, 1 sister, Genoveva, 1 daughter in law Carmen N. Rodriguez, and countless nephews and nieces, and many brethren who also loved her as a grandmother, as a mother, as a teacher, as a counselor, as a sister in Christ and as a friend. Hna. Panchita's legacy will never ever be forgotten. Relatives and friends are invited to a Visitation on Friday from 6:30 to 8 PM at the Falco/Caruso & Leonard Pennsauken Funeral Home, 6600 North Browning Road, where Funeral Services will be held at 8 PM. Another brief Visitation will be held Saturday from 9 to 10 AM at the funeral home, with final prayers to be held at 10. Interment will follow at Arlington Cemetery in Pennsauken.