Milagros Sánchez Ortiz

Milagros Sánchez Ortiz (“Mami” and “Ita”), of St. Johns, Florida, passed away on Friday, February 20, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. She was 71. Milagros was born on November 8, 1954, in Cidra, Puerto Rico, to José Luis Sánchez and Hipólita Ortiz.

Mami was a loving, joyful, and spiritual woman who was intelligent, friendly, conversational, hardworking, organized, and always willing to help others. She was a woman who gave freely without expecting anything in return. As a mother, she was one of a kind; she never had a “no” for us, her children. She taught us values that stayed with us throughout our lives.

When we each married, she embraced our spouses as if they were her own children. That is why when anyone asked how many children she had, she would always say she had six. There are so many more things that could be said about her, but they could never fully capture the love she gave, and we would never finish writing them about her.

As a teacher, she was deeply dedicated to her students. Her main subject was Spanish, but she also taught Religion. In the afternoons she offered tutoring. She left a lasting impact not only on her students and their parents, but also on the siblings of her students.

She taught us the importance of going to church and practicing our Catholic faith. She raised us to pray together as a family. She was also a member of the parish choir at Santa Rosa de Lima Parish, where the three of us were also blessed to sing alongside her. Her favorite pastimes were attending Mass, praying the Rosary and her daily prayers, cooking (she loved inventing new dishes and desserts), gardening, decorating, sewing, and shopping.

Milagros “Mami/Ita” will be remembered for her strength, warmth, and deep devotion to those she loved. Though she is no longer with us, the love, faith, and values she instilled in her family will continue to guide us always. She now rests in the peace of Christ.

She is survived by her children, Dalys (Héctor), Orlando (Krystal), and Aixa (Jared); her grandchildren, Elena, Bianca, Vanessa, and Andrés; her father, José Luis Sánchez; her siblings, Maggie, Aida, Junior, Cuqui, Javier, Juan Carlos, and José Antonio; and her loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved nephew, José Luis “Nuni” Sánchez, and by her mother, Hipólita Ortiz, affectionately known as “Abuela Pola.”

May the Lord grant her eternal rest, and may perpetual light shine upon her.

A memorial will be held beginning at 9:00 a.m., Saturday, April 4, at the Evergreen Funeral Home Chapel. The Evergreen Chapel is located at the base of the bell tower on the grounds of Evergreen Cemetery, 4535 Main St., Jacksonville, Florida 32206. Monsignor Matienzo will lead the prayer service beginning at 10:00 a.m. Inurnment will be in the St. Mary’s section of Evergreen Cemetery immediately following the prayer memorial service. Arrangements are under the direction and care of Evergreen Funeral Home – (904) 353-3649.