Oline Bringol Ortego

Oline Bringol Ortego, 85, of Lake Charles passed away on Thursday, October 15, 2020 in Mandeville, LA while evacuated.

Mrs. Ortego was born on December 30, 1934 in Eggbend, LA.  During World War II, she moved along with her parents to San Diego, CA for them to build airplanes for the service.  At the age of 12 they moved back to Eggbend, LA where she graduated from Fifth Ward School in just 3 years where she played for the high school basketball team and was majorette for the band.  She furthered her education at Southwest Louisiana Institute (currently known as ULL) where she received a bachelor’s degree in teaching in just 3 years.  Upon graduating, she moved to Lake Charles at the age of 20 to work for the Calcasieu Parish School Board for 57 years.  She retired after 30 years and continued working another 27 years substituting and teaching ISI in several elementary schools.  She chose a teaching career so that she could have the summers and holidays off with her children and they could enjoy those times as a family.  Her love for teaching inspired her daughter, a granddaughter, and likely several students to follow in her footsteps.  Mrs. Ortego was a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church.

She took pleasure in shopping, and could often be found visiting friends in the stores for hours.    Mrs. Ortego was an exceptional grandmother who loved all her grandchildren equally and unconditionally.  She made Christmas extra special with gift options behind door #1, door #2, and door #3.

Those left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of 61 years, Kenneth “Ray” Ortego of Lake Charles; children, Keith Ortego (Stefani)of Ragley, Connie Duffy (Tim) of Lake Charles, and Kenny Ortego (Julie) of Lake Charles; grandchildren, Ben Sanders, Ashley Naquin, Laura Campbell, Blake Ortego, Ashley Wood, Amber Ormanci, Shayna Manuel, Eric Duffy, and Molly and Jack Ortego; and great grandchildren, Gannon, Austyn,and Mia Manuel, Nora and Hattie Duffy, Rhett and Judson Campbell, Alexis Bowser, Aidan and Adyson Wood, Emma and Maddox Ormanci, and Amelia Sanders.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lytha and Rosemond Bringol and twin daughters, Charleen and Charlotte Ortego.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, October 23, 2020 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church.  Monsignor Daniel Torres will officiate.  Burial will be in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.  Visitation will begin in the church from 9:00 AM until the start of the service.

The family of Mrs. Ortego wishes to express sincere thanks to the caregivers of Brookdale Assisted Living and Heart of Hospice for the care and Kindness given to their mother.  Thank you for treating her like your own family.