Kazuko Ortiz

Kazuko Shiroma Ortiz, 87, of Thornton passed away on January 11, 2021 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lafayette. Born on October 9, 1933 in Okinawa, Japan she was the daughter of Shuko and Ushi (Shinjo) Shiroma. Kazuko married Edward Ortiz Jr. in August of 1962 and together they shared 58 years of marriage.

When she was young living in Okinawa she worked as waitress for the Officers club at Kadena Air Base. Taking good care of the officers who asked for her by name.  When she came to America, she had various occupations working as a seamstress, prep cook, waitress, fine jewelry sales, and finally as an owner of her own retail store in Lahaina, Hawaii.  However, her lifelong passion was traditional Okinawan folk dance.  She started learning the dances at the age of 17 and she taught and performed them for many years.

She enjoyed cooking, dancing, gardening, gambling, singing and spending time with friends and family. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for others such as cooking or dropping off food, helping with parties, and performing events.  She loved teaching Okinawan dancing and her time volunteering her time to senior citizens.  Her dance performances stretch from Colorado to Hawaii. Always being true to the heart and captured the audience with so much emotions in her dance performances.

She will be remembered for her love, positive spirit and compassion. Enjoying life to the fullest. She had a great way of cheering up others and her smile and laugh was contagious. She was always true to her native Okinawan roots, sharing traditional dance techniques, food dishes and gardening skills.  She loved cooking for others.  Creating some tasty foods items everyone loved from main courses to desserts.

She is survived by her son and two daughters, Mike Higa, Karen Ortiz and Bianca Meissner, grandchildren: Lucas, Easton, Lydia Higa and Leilani Delacruz, and great-grandchild, Naia Higa.

A Visitation will be held on Friday, January 22, 2021 at 1:00 PM with a Funeral Service at 2:00 PM at Horan & McConaty, 9998 Grant St. Thornton, CO 80229. A private interment at Fort Logan National Cemetery will take place at a later date.

Live streaming will be available with this link: https://bxcited.com/kazukoshiromaortiz/