Written with love by niece Lisa Guyer

Mary Therese Orta passed away peacefully on April 8, 2026, in Aurora, Illinois, surrounded by the love of her family.

She was born the youngest of eight children. Doctors told my grandparents she wouldn't live to be a teenager and would never walk or talk. At that time, very little was understood about Down syndrome, and my grandparents didn't have much—but what they did have was love, and a family who believed in her.

And she proved everyone wrong.

She lived to be 64 years old. She walked, she talked, and she could hold a great conversation. She had an amazing memory and knew our large family by name—never forgetting anyone. She helped carry us through the loss of several family members with her innocent heart and her genuine kindness toward everyone she met.

She taught me not to be ashamed of special needs, but to be proud—to embrace them and learn from them. People like her are brilliant in their own ways, and if you truly see them, they make you a better person.

I am so blessed to have called Mary Therese Orta my Aunt. We love you Aunt Therese!

And I know she won't be alone—her parents will be there with arms wide open, along with her two big brothers (Robert & Richard Orta) and two nephews (Darrin Orta & Eric Geye), welcoming her home.

She is survived by her sisters, Rita (Gary) Pennington, Dee (Dave) Grens, Carmen (Angel) Colon, & Chris Tanner, and her brother Ray Orta.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 13, 2026 at 10:00AM at Our Lady of Good Counsel with interment following at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to Daleiden Mortuary (220 North Lake Street, Aurora, IL 60506 Phone: 630-631-5500) – providing funeral and cremation services to Aurora, Montgomery, Sugar Grove, Oswego, Batavia, Yorkville and surrounding communities.