Norma Sylvia Cortez

She was born on August 16, 1945 in Laredo Texas where she grew up with 8 siblings. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, sister in law, aunt and grandma.

Norma graduated high school in 1963. After graduating, she moved to Los Angeles California where she met and married the love of her life, Ralph P Cortez. They were married on July 11, 1964 and enjoyed 60yrs of married life until Ralph passed away on July 21, 2024.

Norma was a stay at home mom and was very involved in her children’s lives. Her involvement in the PTA and various jobs at Buchanan Elementary and Franklin High School meant that Norma knew her children’s friends and they all knew her. Norma was integral in helping to create lifelong friendships. She loved planning, organizing, volunteering, cooking and dancing and word search puzzles. Norma worked for the Safeway deli in Aptos, CA, served samples at Sam’s Club in San Antonio, Tx and Bakersfield, CA, sold Home Interior and Avon, did some catering jobs and owned/managed the cafeteria at the Franciscan Shop in Los Feliz, California in the 80s.

When her husband retired in 2002, they moved from Los Angeles to Santa Cruz, CA to be close to their adult children and grandchildren. In 2008, they moved to San Antonio, where they became volunteers at the Guadalupe Cultural Center. Through their volunteer services and their love for Conjunto music they met and made many friends. In 2019, they returned to California, settling in Arvin. She loved traveling and would often make road trips to Texas, Santa Cruz, Fresno, Los Angeles, Indio and San Diego to go to dances and visit friends and family. It was important to her that her children have relationships with out of town family and she planned vacations and visits to keep these bonds. She loved doing for others and thrived on her longtime friendships and family connections.

Norma is preceded in death by her parents, Alfredo Moran and Maria del Refujio Moran, sisters Patsy Sanchez, Eva Felix, Christina Terrazas, Graciela Valtierra, brother Alfredo “Sonny” Moran, son Ralph M Cortez and husband Ralph P Cortez.

She is survived by her daughter Alicia Cortez-Moreno, son Rudy Cortez and fiancé Michael Hilva, granddaughters Erin and Chloe Moreno, sisters Carmen Benavidez, and Yolanda Herrera and brother Daniel Moran.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life at 125 E. Bear Mountain Blvd., Arvin, California 93202 on Friday, Jan. 31st from 4:00pm -8:00pm.

A celebration will be planned for San Antonio, Texas in February. Details will be posted soon.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the family or in Norma’s honor to the SPCA by clicking on the link below or to the charity of your choice.