Michaela Sasueda Cortez

Michaela Sasueda Cortez, 89, of Amarillo, TX passed away Friday, November 15, 2024.

Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am, Saturday, November 23, 2024, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with Father Taylor Elzner as celebrant. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.

Michaela was born on March 12, 1935, in Channing, Texas, to Joe and Isabel (Gonzales) Sasueda. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Amarillo and earned a business degree from Draughon’s Business College.

While working at a bakery, she met her husband, Jesus G. Cortez. They were married on July 22, 1961, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. He preceded her in death.

Michaela worked as an attendance clerk at Bowie Middle School and Caprock High School, as well as a school secretary at Eastridge Elementary School. In total, she dedicated thirty-eight years to the Amarillo Independent School District. In her spare time, she enjoyed crocheting, sewing, and serving at church. After moving to a new neighborhood in Amarillo, Michaela began attending St. Hyacinth Catholic Church, where she assisted in the office. 

She was a member of the Texas Educational Secretaries Association and the Amarillo Educational Secretaries Association. 

Her greatest joy was her family; she took pride in her six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

She also was preceded in death by her sister, Carolyn Morelos; brother, Benjamin Sasueda; and her daughter, Rita Joyce Cortez.

Survivors include her children, Jessica Cortez, Catherine Combs and husband Claude, Veronica Neal and husband Larry, and Mario Cortez; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.