Our Lady of the Lake University is saddened to share the news of the passing of two beloved alumnae, Cuca Robles and Amparo H. Ortiz. Both women exemplified the spirit of the OLLU community through their lives of service, leadership, and compassion.
Amparo H. Ortiz
August 1, 1944 – August 4, 2025
Born Maria Amparo Hurtado in Armenia, Colombia, Amparo came to the United States in pursuit of her own American Dream. She studied English and the Arts in Saltillo, Mexico, before making her way to San Antonio, where she attended Our Lady of the Lake University.
Her life in San Antonio brought her professional success and deep personal joy. Amparo met Lorenzo Ortiz, who became her husband for over 50 years, and together they raised three children—Edward, Mark, and Stephanie—and welcomed the blessing of a granddaughter, Kayla.
A celebrated communications icon and 1992 inductee into the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame, Amparo interviewed cultural figures such as Robert Rodriguez, Juanes, Vikki Carr, Salma Hayek, Oscar de la Renta, and Vicente Fernandez. She was passionate about education, creating the “Student of the Week” segment on her show to highlight outstanding San Antonio students. Her elegance, generosity, and dedication to empowering others made her a role model for many.
Amparo is survived by her children, granddaughter, siblings, and a large extended family. A memorial Mass will be held Friday, August 22, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in San Antonio. In lieu of flowers, her family requests donations to the Children’s Defense Fund, San Antonio Animal Care Services, or nonprofits serving children or women battling abuse.
Dr. María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel
Dr. Montecel, received her Bachelor of Science in Social Work with High Distinction on December 20, 1972. The President Emerita of the Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA) passed away on Friday, August 8, 2025, in San Antonio. She was a visionary leader, a tireless advocate, and a nationally recognized expert in education policy, dedicated to ensuring equitable educational opportunities for all students.
During her nearly 30-year tenure at IDRA, Dr. Robledo Montecel expanded the organization’s reach and influence, developing research-based programs and policies that addressed systemic inequities in education. Her leadership was rooted in the belief that schools must serve every child, without exception, and her work influenced state and national education reform.
An OLLU alumna, Dr. Montecel was known for her warmth, compassion, and ability to inspire others. Her legacy lives on in the thousands of educators, students, and advocates she mentored and in the lasting impact of her work to advance educational justice.