Viola Jane Ortiz (Antone) walked on to the Creators Land on Dec. 17, 2019. After 98 years, the heart she gave to so many finally gave out and she is now at rest. Viola was born on March 24, 1921 in Tigerton, WI to the late Wilson Antone, Sr. and Eunice Skenandore. She was a native speaker of the Oneida Language.
In her twenties Viola moved to Chicago where she married twice and raised two families. She was fiercely independent and chose to work all her life, first in department stores in downtown Chicago and then for more than 27 years at the Nabisco Corporation where she was a proud member of the Bakery and Confectionery Union and Industry. In all those years, she worked the third shift so she could be home with her children during the day. She was also known as “Ma” to all her children’s friends and many others who knew her.
When she retired from Nabisco, Viola finally said goodbye to Chicago and moved back to Oneida to be with her daughter and brothers and sisters. Viola was a wonderful cook, basket maker, and embroider and she enjoyed traveling, long walks in nature, reading true detective novels, her animal companions, going to the casino and most importantly spending time with her family. In her younger years she enjoyed dancing, dressing up and going out on the town, and hosting large family gatherings.
She is survived by her daughters, Denise Jane (Ken) Vigue and Thelma (Michael) Shelby; and her sons Ricardo Ortiz III and Frederick R. Ortiz; 5 grandchildren: Christina, Lisa, Angela, Louise Christine, and Pamela; 11 great grandchildren, Dillon, Harvey, Hannah, Jay, Stefan, Taylor, Tyler, Mason, Bella, Patricia Ariel, and Brian; 5 great-great grandchildren: Isabella, Katherine, Audrey Rose, Ethan and Faith; sister-in-law, Lorraine Antone, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her two ex-husbands: Emerson Doxtator and Richard Ortiz II; her children: Valma (Don) Borla, Alma Mae Doxtator, Zelma “Dolly” De Chant, Marcella E. (Greg) Topczewski, Libby Harden, her twin boys; and two grandsons: Jeffrey and Kellan James. Viola was also preceded in death by six sisters: Kate Cooper, Emma Sanchez, Lillian Miller, Cynthia Crotty, Mary Danforth, and Cecilia Roberto and five brothers: Joe Louis Antone, Hanson Antone, Wilson “Mike” Antone, Israel Antone and Nelson Antone.
A private service and cremation was held at Ryan Funeral Home per Viola’s wishes. The family would like to give our heartfelt thanks to the nurses and staff at the Anna John Residential Care Nursing Home and St. Mary’s Hospital who cared for our mother Viola lovingly and kindly. Bless you all. Online condolences can be expressed at www.ryanfh.com
Donations can be made to any Humane Society in Viola’s name.
