Pilarita G. Cortez

Our Mom, Pilarita Galliguez Cortez, also known to others as Pilar or Lita, was the matriarch of the Cortez Family. She was loving, loyal and committed to her children, grandchildren and extended family and friends; she had a deep and sincere passion as a Physician and Professor/Teacher; a strong desire to continue to grow and learn; an ardent bird watcher; enjoyed the study of plants and nature; had a child-like interest in seeing different places; and she had an infectious zest and positive outlook on life. Above all, Pilar loved the Lord! Pilar walked and exemplified a woman of unyielding faith in the Lord. Pilar had kind and inspiring words to share with all of us. Whenever we called on her, she always listened and encouraged us with her support. She found good in everything and everyone. She thought of others first. Pilar was born November 29, 1945 in Cavite, Philippines to Antonio and Pilar Galliguez. She was the eldest to her brothers Eleazar and Antonio and sister, Armi. Early on, Pilar excelled academically. She graduated high honors from the University of the Philippines, College of Medicine in 1970, and came to America in 1971 for her internship. From 1972-1975, Pilar completed her pediatric residency at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Then, Pilar completed her Behavioral Medicine at Rochester, New York. In 1976, Pilar married Pete Cortez. Together, they had a son, Marc on May 8, 1977 and a daughter, Christina, on June 19, 1978. Pete has three children from a previous marriage named Ferdinand (best known as Nandy), Jane and Bert. Pilar extended her love to Nandy, Jane and Bert, and developed a strong bond with all her children. Pilar enjoyed traveling and wanted to see the world. In 1979, as a Pediatrician and Child Development Specialist, Pilar enlisted with the United States Army as a Colonel. She is one of the first Filipina high ranking officers in the United States Army. She worked at Beaumont Hospital at Fort Bliss, El Paso, TX, and inspected other military hospitals in the United States. In addition to being a Colonel, Pilar was appointed Chief of Staff. From 1984-1986 Pilar was assigned in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany with her family. After Pilar retired from the Untied States Army in August 1997, she went into private practice for several years, and then she was an Assistant Professor for the new medical studies program at Texas Tech’s Foster School of Medicine. During this time, Pilar was also a Member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a Member, Advisor, for the El Paso Autism Society. Pilar was a breast cancer survivor. Because of this life-changing experience, and with Pilar's specialty, she had many speaking engagements on Child Development and Autism. Pilar retired from Texas Tech’s Foster School of Medicine in December 2011. Shortly thereafter, her beautiful daughter, Christina, was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. After a painful battle with the disease, Christina passed away from pneumonia on October 31, 2012. Pilar was devoted to loving and assisting her son-in-law, Kevin Johnson, in raising her grandson, Finley. Sadly, we lost Pilar to a heart attack on July 23, 2013. Pilar is survived by her father, Antonio Galliguez; her siblings Eleazar (wife, Thelma) Galliguez and sister, Armi (husband, Nehemias) Pajarito; her son-in-law, Kevin Johnson; her children, Marc Cortez, Nandy (wife, Mei), Jane (husband, Gabe), and Bert (wife, Clarissa); her twelve grandchildren and three great grandchildren; and her best friend in life, who is forever present when needed, Melet (husband, Al) Cortez, and their children Alexis (wife, Alexia) and Gina (husband, Scott) Hill. Pilar brought light and radiance to each of our lives. She is deeply missed by all. Memorial Service will be held at 11:00am on Monday, August 5, 2013 at Hilcrest Baptist Church. Interment is private. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home Northeast.