Sister Mary Miguel Ortiz, R.S.M., 77, a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Mid-Atlantic Community for 60 years, died suddenly on Nov. 26, after being hit by a car.
She attended St. Brigid School, Bushwick, and Mercy Juniorate H.S., Fort Greene, before entering the Sisters of Mercy Novitiate, Syosset, L.I., in September, 1958.
She professed her final vows in April of 1964.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in Spanish from St. Francis College, Brooklyn Heights, and became a registered nurse at the Catholic Medical Center Nursing School.
She taught at Holy Rosary, Bedford Stuyvesant, 1961; St. Agatha, Carroll Gardens, 1961-63; and St. Therese of Lisieux, East Flatbush, 1963-66.
She then taught at the Collegio San Vincente, David, Panama, 1968-70, and St. Mary’s, Balboa, Panama, 1966-70.
As a registered nurse, she worked at St. John’s Hospital, Elmhurst, 1978-80, and 1983-84; Mercy Home’s Mother Vincent Haire Residence, 1980-86; Kevin Keating Residence, Rosedale, 1986-95, and Visitation Residence, Red Hook, from 2004 until her retirement in 2013.
From 1995 until 2004, she was the coordinator of nursing services for Mercy Home for Children.
She is survived by her brother, Michael.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in the Sisters of Mercy Convent, Whitestone. Burial was in St. John’s Cemetery, Middle Village.
Sr Miguel was the epitome of an angel on earth. She was tough but had a heart of gold. She was one of my aunts best friends and would stop at nothing to make her happy. She will be sorely missed but as we all know she had achieved the highest honor being with her savior. We love you Sr miguel