Obituary for Tania Padilla

Tania Mercedes Padilla, 58, of Westerville, Ohio, departed this world on March 18th, 2023. She was born October 16, 1965, to Carmen and Victor Padilla in Brooklyn, New York.

Tania, the personification of love, and steadfast wife, mother, and sister is survived by her loving husband, David Ortiz; incredible children, Jacqueline, Aaron, and Jayden; and her beloved dog, Sophie.

While motherhood was her greatest joy, she was a scholar, too, with a passion for learning that continued long after she graduated from St. John’s University and NYU School of Business. An insatiable curiosity of life and people kept her going, most notably in her research work to trace the family lineage. In doing so, she connected with distant relatives from across the globe, many of whom had little knowledge of where they came from. She found them and loved them instantly, embracing them as though they had been in her life all along.

Tania was a woman of many talents. She had a knack for making things beautiful; whether that be her meticulously kept home, green thumb, love of restoring antiques, photography skills, and maintained friendships. Those who entered her home were met with warmth, lively music, hospitality, and great food, no matter who it was. She was a caretaker, in every sense of the word, and took great pride in caring for others. To the many who were blessed to know her, Tania was a source of unwavering support. Her ability to make friends no matter where she went — and keep in touch with them! — was impressive.

Her absence leaves not just a hole in the lives of those who loved her, but a crater.

A ceremony will be held at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Westerville at 10am on Friday, March 24th.

In lieu of flowers and to honor her beautiful memory, the family requests that donations be made to the Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens in her name.