Ana E. Cortes

She was born Nov. 30, 1931 in Utuado, Puerto Rico, the daughter of the late Jose and Bernardina (Vera) Morales.

Ana moved from Puerto Rico to Dunkirk in 1951. A life-long Roman Catholic, she was a parishioner of Holy Trinity Church, St. Mary’s Church, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church.

Survivors include five daughters, Carmen L. Cortes, Alicia (Angel Pagan) Bantin, and Minerva “Mini” Cortes, all of Dunkirk, Elizabeth (dearly departed partner, Kevin Stearns) Cortes of Buffalo, and Norma I. DeJoy of Jamestown; five sons, William Cortes Jr. of Brocton, Peter (Beth Coughlin) Cortes of Dunkirk, Domingo (Susan) Cortes of Sheridan, George Cortes of Florida, and Miguel Cortes of Dunkirk. She is also survived by twelve grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren and her siblings Gladys Morales Vera, Elsa Morales Vera, Hilda Morales Vera, and Ruben Morales Vera.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Cortes, who died March 8, 2004; her eldest son, Joseph L. Cortes; two brothers Felix Morales Vera, Jose Alberto Morales Vera, and a sister Haydee (Torres) Morales Vera.

Ana’s life was devoted to her family. As the mother of eleven children, Ana was a strong and gregarious matriarch. A talented homemaker, Ana was a remarkable cook and enjoyed preparing meals for her family and friends, especially during the holidays. She also loved gardening, dancing, playing cards, sewing, and enjoyed long car rides. Outside the home, she was employed by Appian Way Pizza, Dunkirk Ice Cream, M. Wile, and One Step at a Time Daycare.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial which will be held on Wednesday morning, May 17, 2023, at 10 o’clock in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 328 Washington Ave., Dunkirk. There will be no prior visitation. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Sheridan. Arrangements are by the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home, Dunkirk.