Carmen "Paloma" Ortega Cruz

July 5, 1937 - July 19, 2020

Carmen “Paloma” Ortega Cruz, 83, of Kansas City, MO, passed away peacefully into Eternal Life on Sunday, July 19th, 2020, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Carmen was born on July 5th, 1937, in Tariacuri, Michoacan, Mexico to Jesus Ortega and Rosa Ortega Contreras. Full of energy and ambition, she immigrated to the United States at the age of 19 with her uncle in search of an education and a new adventure. She made a life in Kansas City, learned the English language and became a US Citizen. She worked for many years in the Garment District at Fashionbilt Garment Company. Carmen loved to cook authentic Mexican dishes and host gatherings for her family, especially around the holidays. She was lovingly referred to as “Paloma” (dove) since she was a child. She adored her grandchildren and, as often as she could, traveled to her hometown in Mexico to visit family. She was strong in her faith and a devout Catholic. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Jose Ortega, sisters Anita Ortega Verduzco, and Teresa Ortega Garcia. She is survived by her loving husband of 44 years, Juan Cruz-Rico, sons Ricardo Medina, John (Amy) Cruz, daughter Maria Kaplan, eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, siblings Salvador (Rosario) Ortega, Jose (Lourdes) Ortega, Sara Ortega Reyes, Esther Ortega Baltazar (Javier) and numerous extended family members in Mexico and Kansas City. A private memorial Catholic mass will be held at a later time.