Dorothy M. Cortese

Dorothy M. Cortese, 93 of Texico, NM passed away Friday, June 6, 2014 in Texico with her family at her bedside. She was born September 22, 1920 in Cordell, Oklahoma to the home of Frank and Amanda (Wooten) Erven. Dorothy attended school in Campana, NM, Tucumcari, NM, and graduated from Fort Sumner High School in 1939. She married Mike Cortese on May 18, 1940. They made their home in Fort Sumner where she worked for Teeter's Department Store for many years. Dorothy and Mike raised their three children, Sherry, Mike, and DeLynn in Fort Sumner. In 1962 Dorothy and Mike moved to Denver, CO for one year and went into a partnership with family in an Italian Restaurant "The Villa Roma", Dorothy also worked for Denver Dry Goods. Dorothy and Mike moved to Albuquerque in 1963 where she worked for Lerner Shops in the children's department. She loved working there and all the children loved her. Dorothy was always dedicated to her family as well as all her friends and neighbors. She always had a very positive attitude on life and touched many lives through her kindness and generosity. She loved playing cards and dominoes with the family. She loved crocheting and quilting. She was a member of the First Baptist Church while living in Fort Sumner. She will truly be missed by everyone. Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband Mike Cortese on August 15, 2003, parents Frank and Amanda (Wooten) Erven; brother Garlen Erven in 2003, sister Marie Erven Rich in 2008, son-in-law J.K. Barfield in 2006, and a grandson Jarrod Barfield in 2000. Survivors include three children, two daughters, Sherry Barfield of Texico, DeLynn Ratliff and husband Eddie of Edgewood, a son Mike Cortese and wife Regina of Austin, Texas, eight grandchildren James K. Barfield IV and his companion Tammy Murphy of Ballinger, TX, Christi Edwards and husband Joel of Clovis, Katherine Cortese of Miami, FL, Micha Adatto and husband Brad of Dallas, TX, Brent Ratliff and wife Megan of Albuquerque, Darin Ratliff and wife Rhonda of Yukon, OK, Justin Peek and wife Catherine of Austin, TX and Brandon Peek of Austin, TX, one sister-in-law Lib Cortese of Fort Sumner, 14 great-grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. The family prefers memorial contributions in memory of Dorothy Cortese to P.R.M.C. Hospice, 2217 Dillon Street, Clovis, NM 88101 or Fort Sumner Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 180, Fort Sumner, NM 88119. Services will be held at 10am Saturday, June 21, 2014 at the Chavez Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Sumner, NM with Anna Teeter-Gentile officiating. Burial of cremains will follow in the Cortese family plot, Fort Sumner Cemetery. Honorary bearers will be all her grandchildren. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, NM (575) 355-2311. To place an online tribute go to www.chavezfuneralhome.com