Alice Portillo Armendariz Welch

Alice Portillo Armendariz Welch, a lifelong El Pasoan and beloved matriarch of the Armendariz family, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, June 29, 2026. She was a devout Roman Catholic, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend.

Born in El Paso in 1927 to Francisco and Delfina Portillo, Alice grew up in central El Paso along with her siblings Stella, Frank and Bobby Portillo. While in high school, she played tennis and was a member of Pistol Packers basketball team. She needed more to do so she worked part-time at Kress and Union Fashion.

Shortly after graduating from El Paso High School in 1945, she was charmed by Cesar Armendariz, fell in love, and married. They were blessed with six children: Ceci, Cesar, Pati, Becky, Jenny, and Marty.

Alice was devoted to her family and worked long and hard to provide a loving, nurturing home. Additionally, she reached out to her community starting with her parish, St. Pius X Catholic Church volunteering as a Catechist, was entrusted with financial needs of the parish, and served as Cub Master and Den Leader for Pack 727 for over 30 years (Silver Beaver recipient).

Volunteering as an alcoholic counselor and passionately following politics at the local, state, national, and international level proved her concern and importance to be responsible in civically as well.

Working outside the home, she worked for Mountain Bell Telephone Company as a switch-board operator where as the only employee who spoke Spanish resulted in being promoted to B Board where she routed long-distance and international calls. She completed her work history as a medical stenographer at William Beaumont Army Medical Center/Civil Service.

Alice and her husband, Cesar, were ideal parents dedicated and devoted to their children and their well being. They showered their children with love and attention and gave them advice, guidance, and direction. Realizing the critical importance of education to ensure a better future, both Alice and Cesar encouraged continuing education beyond high school.

Alice put this advice into action by completing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1980 (inducted into the Mortar Board Honorary Society). She did this while raising a family and working full time. This example planted seeds in the hearts of her 6 children whose walks in life include serving in the fields of medicine, nursing, education, law and engineering.

Alice’s pride in her family was evident by the twinkle in her eye whenever she spent time with them and how she commemorated each family member’s achievements. Every holiday, birthday and special occasion gave her reason to celebrate. The birth of subsequent generations of the Armendariz family gave her many more reasons to celebrate.

Her 11 grandchildren include:

Chelsea DeMarte(Lauren Sharp), Janeen DeMarte(Erik Milsap), Monica (Anthony) Kozlowski, Amanda (Paul)Davila, Ryan Closner, Gabriel (Christy—deceased) Mata, Cesar (Joslyn)Mata, Eric(Vanessa) Mata, Mikael Garcia(Brian Garcia), Aundrea Garcia(Chris Wright) and Alexsie Garcia.

Her 13 great-grandchildren include: Locke and Axten Milsap, A J and Brooke Kozlowski, Savannah and Luke Crawford, Autumn Closner, Jabril Mata and L J Mata. Honorary great-grandchildren are Daegan Davila, Aedin and Cris Garcia, and Layla Lowe.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Cesar Armendariz (30 years of marriage, until death) and her second husband, John Welch (30 years of marriage, until death); as well as her son, Cesar Armendariz, Jr, MD. She is survived by her children Cecilia Armendariz(John) DeMarte, Patricia Armendariz (Wally) Closner, Rebecca Armendariz (Lorenzo) Mata, Jennifer Armendariz (Robert) Garcia, and Martin (Alex) Armendariz Flores;

Alice’s family would like to express their gratitude for all those who reached out to offer prayer, visits, calls, direct care and comfort during the last years of her life. Faith Hospice and their amazing staff provided incredible medical, social, emotional and spiritual support.

Fortunately, Alice was able to live out the last years of her life in her own home due to incredible care-givers including: Pilar, Cyndi, Leo, Carmen, Jaqueline, and Rosalba. Most recently, Brenda Martinez and Rosi Ruiz de Martinez tenderly and lovingly cared for “Momma”.

Words cannot adequately convey or express our family’s eternal heartfelt appreciation.

Though we miss her terribly, we know how incredibly blessed we are to have had such a positive and powerful influence in our lives. Trying to encapsulate and describe her amazing essence is an impossible task. If you knew her, you know that simply being in her presence was in and of itself a gift. Alice will live on in the hearts and minds of those who were blessed to know and love her. We could not have asked for a better mother and realize now, more than ever, just how blessed we are to have been raised and guided by such an amazing and intelligent woman. We thank God for all the years He allowed us to share together. Although things are not the same without her, we take comfort knowing that she is now celebrating in heaven. We are confident she will continue to protect, guide and love us.

We will honor her memory by continuing her traditions and upholding the family values she instilled in us.

In lieu of flowers, please consider offering a donation to St. Pius X Catholic Community, 915-772-3226 or Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 915-301-0517.