Maria Teresa Quintanilla

Maria Teresa Quintanilla, a resident of the Bronx for 55 years, passed away on August 6, 2024 at the age of 89.

Maria was born on June 3, 1935, in San Salvador, El Salvador, to the late Eduardo Ortiz and Jesus Quintanilla.

To many, she was known as Chiquita, Doña Tere, Tere, Mamá, Abuelita, and Bisabuela, but regardless of her titles, everyone knew her as the family’s matriarch.

She came to the United States in 1970 in hopes of building the foundation of a better life for herself and her children. Like the pioneer she was, she successfully brought all her children to the Bronx and provided them an opportunity to build a better life in the United States.

Maria loved being social. Not long after she moved to the United States, she established her own community through her apartment building and work. Maria worked for many years at the local factories, retiring from Always Tools, Inc. She enjoyed watching her favorite novelas, taking long walks throughout the community and traveling to Seven Lakes, Connecticut or Bear Mountain with the family. She also enjoyed cooking and gathering friends and family for holiday events.

She treasured her time with her grandkids and great-grandkids and cherished her title of Abuelita or Bis-Abuela. She would always remember to call each on their birthdays to wish them well. She will be remembered for making each grandkid feel special through her cooking. She always remembered how each grandkid liked their breakfast and would pair it with their specific plate or cup she had for them at her house.

Her love and kindness extended past her family. Maria may not have had a pet of her own, but she had a soft spot for her four-legged grandchildren. Maria would never hesitate to offer a quick belly scratch or even provide a refreshing bowl of water to one of many of our family dogs. Maria will always be remembered for the way she cared for all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We’ll always imagine hearing her call us by her many nicknames, checking on us during bad weather, and saying, “Que te vaya bien, que te empuje el tren.”

Maria was preceded in death by her parents, Eduardo Ortiz and Jesus Quintanilla, and her brothers Carlos Eduardo Ortiz and Roberto Ortiz, and is survived by her brothers Rafael Ortiz Alfredo Ortiz, and sister Elsa Quintanilla and Latoya Ortiz. She’s also survived by her five children, Ana Ramirez, Enrique Torres, Rodolfo Torres, Juan Umaña, and Ulysses Umaña, her nine grandchildren, Zagary Ramirez, David Ramirez, Enrique Torres, Rosaura Torres, Rodolfo Torres, Maria Cody, Christopher Torres, Brittney Umaña, Bianca Torres and 11 great-grandchildren.

Visiting will be Sunday from 4-9pm at Joseph A. Lucchese Funeral Home, 726 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx. Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday at 11am at Our Lady of Solace Church, 731 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx. Interment will follow at St. Raymond’s Cemetery, 2600 Lafayette Avenue, Bronx.

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