Eustolia “Ophelia” Cortez, 91, of Beaumont, died Sunday, July 13, 2014, at Harbor Hospice in Beaumont.  Born on March 16, 1923, in Hamlin, Texas, Ophelia was the daughter of Simona Navarrete Arizpe and Matias Arizpe. 

Ophelia is survived by her sons, Ben Cortez, Jr. and his wife, Patricia, and David Cortez, all of Beaumont; daughters, Mary Hughes and her husband, A. B., and Diane Reyes and her husband, Chris, all of Beaumont; daughter-in-law, Diana Cortez of Nederland; sister, Maria Acosta of Houston; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-one great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and many other loving family members.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ben Cortez, Sr., son, Robert Cortez; brothers and sisters.

A gathering of Mrs. Cortez’s family and friends will be Wednesday evening, July 16, 2014, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a rosary recited at 7:00 p.m., at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 17, 2014, at Cristo Rey Catholic Church, 767 Avenue A, Beaumont, followed by burial at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Beaumont.

Memorial contributions in Mrs. Cortez’s name may be made to Cristo Rey Catholic Church, 767 Avenue A, Beaumont, Texas 77701 or to Harbor Hospice, 2450 North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77713.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Harbor Hospice and to all of her friends for their love and support.