A Mass of Christian Burial for Louise A. Cortez, 89, of Newark, will be held at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 10:30 A.M., Monday, April 22, 2024, with Fr. Mike Gentry as celebrant. Friends and family may call for one hour prior to the service. Interment in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery will immediately follow the Mass.

Louise, a parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, died at the Selma Markowitz Care Center of Hospice of Central Ohio on Sunday, April 14, 2024. She was born in Newark, Ohio on September 10, 1934, to the late Frederico and Rosa (Carospilla) Testa.

A 1952 graduate of St. Francis de Sales High School, Louise was employed at Newark Trust Corp in 1954. One of the first woman to be promoted to an officer position, Louise became a Senior Vice President in charge of the Mortgage Loan Department, during which time she also served as President of the local chapter of the American Institute of Banking. She was a member of the Homebuilders Association, Newark Credit Bureau and LMH Twig volunteering in their gift shop. After 2 years of retirement from the bank, Louise became employed at The Energy Cooperative working as a customer representative for 7 years.

She is survived by her son, John F. Cortez; granddaughters, Caitlyn R. (Brett) Blacet, Christina M. Cortez and Annie M. Haefs; grandsons, Justin (Marissa) Cortez, Joshua (Sierra) Cortez, Addison Cortez; great-grandchildren, Hunter, Finley and Weston Cortez, Asher and Avery Cortez, Lera, Archer, Beau and Max Blacet, and Elijah J. Badgley; extended family, Staci Hoy and Carrie Cortez; and nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Louise was preceded in death by her husband, Francis "Frank" Cortez; sons, Michael A. Cortez and Frederick J. Cortez; and sisters, Teresa A. (Gerald) Westbrook and Mary Pecoraro.

Reed-Egan Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. To share your memory of Louise or leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.reedegan.com.