Help Us Say Goodbye To My Dad, Pepe

Since February 2020, my father, Ubaldo “Pepe” Ortega, has been courageously battling Parkinson's, Lewy Body Dementia, and Alzheimer's disease. Witnessing the decline of this once lively and whole-hearted man has been incredibly challenging for our family – his devoted wife of 42 years, Silvia, and his children, Jose and myself, Vanessa.

Here's a little bit about my dad...

Pepe, born in 1955 in Durango, Mexico, the youngest of six, migrated to the US in 1976. In 1978, he met Silvia in Indio, and their journey together began. They built a family with the arrival of their son, Jose (42), and daughter, Vanessa (35). Pepe's dedication to providing for his family was evident in his tireless work, notably as a Maître d’ at Thunderbird Country Club for nearly 30 years, where he earned the admiration of peers and club members alike. Pepe's passion for music and humorous films added an extra layer of joy to his life.

In 2005, Pepe and Silvia fulfilled a long-standing dream by opening Los Pepes, a family-owned Mexican restaurant in Palm Desert, CA. For 15 years, they shared the richness of their heritage through traditional recipes. Unfortunately, due to challenges exacerbated by the pandemic, they had to close the doors of Los Pepes in April 2021.

Throughout his life, Pepe selflessly helped others without expecting anything in return, embodying kindness, generosity, and unconditional love. As we approach the final stages of his journey, our family is coming together to be by Pepe’s side.

During this emotional time, we are reaching out for your support. Your donation, no matter the size, will help alleviate the financial strain that comes with this difficult transition. We are immensely grateful for your time and contribution to this fundraiser.

Thank you for standing with us as we navigate through this heart-wrenching chapter.