Julia Rosa Ortiz de Leal passed away on Saturday, February 25, 2023. She was born 96 years ago to beloved parents Elias Ortiz and Maria Felipa Ruiz. She lived most of her life in San Cristobal and Maracay, Venezuela, with her husband and children. She would later move to the United States in 2016 where she lived with daughter, Martha Elena Leal Ortiz, and grandson Jorge Mario Machado Leal in Cincinnati, and later in Texas.

Julia was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and homemaker. She was lovingly called "La abuelita" or "Julita" by friends and family alike. She loved catching up with her many friends and spending time with her large family. She enjoyed gardening, caring for her pets, dining out and ordering fish, shopping, and dressing up with her daughter Martha Elena. She also loved going on car rides and road trips, and celebrating special occasions and holidays. She loved receiving red roses and chocolates too. Throughout her life she enjoyed cooking for family and guests, and being of service to others.

Julia was small in size but big in heart. She was orphaned as a little girl, so she wanted to give to others the love that she couldn't receive herself. She treated friends and acquaintances like her own family, and she sought to provide for the needy whenever possible. She was deeply connected with her spirituality. She was faithful to God, prayed the rosary every day, and attended mass regularly. She will be remembered as a kind, loving, caring, dedicated, lively and selfless woman by all who knew her. She always had words of wisdom to make people feel better during a difficult time. She was always willing to sacrifice herself to help others. Those closest to her saw her as a saint among us. She impacted the lives of many. Julia's legacy and memory will live on.

She was preceded in death by her son, Orlando Leal, her grandson Fabio Armando Carrillo Leal, and her husband of 64 years, Fernando Leal, whom she cared for throughout his illness for many years before he joined God on June 21, 2009.

Julia is survived by her children Martha Elena, Celina, Gladys, Jose, Fernando, and Humberto; her sister Victoria; her cousin, Esther; and her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

A rosary service and visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 28, from 4pm to 7pm at the DeBerry Funeral Home. A mass will be held at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Wednesday, March 1, at 1pm.