Biography: After an unexpected, courageous battle with cancer, on the early morning of January 26, 2024, her 62^nd anniversary with her husband Bob, Katherine Ann Cortinez slipped gently away into the morning light.
 
Eighty-three years ago, on March 2, 1941 a little blue eyed, curly headed baby girl named Kay Cortinez came into this world. She grew up with her parents, Bill & Bonnie Heinrichs in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Growing up alongside her were her two sisters Mimi and Tricia.
Kay attended high school in Fayetteville, excelling in tennis and archery, and she attended Girls State and was recognized with high honors scholastically. She graduated from Byrd High School in Shreveport, Louisianna. Kay attended Northwestern State College in Natchitoches, La where she graduated to begin her career as a teacher. While there, she was an editor of the college yearbook and was selected as a beauty in the College Beauty Pageant. There at Northwestern, she met and married her husband, Bob Cortinez. They were together for sixty-five years. Bob is an Attorney Emeritus in Little Rock. Kay commenced a 40-year career in education, first teaching at Horace Mann, Southwest Junior High, Parkview, and finally, Little Rock Central High School. During her 35-year long journey at Central High, Kay never once lost sight of her precious life’s calling, as she nurtured minds and mentored the youth of our community.
 
Kay organized, sponsored, and led the Junior Civitan Club at Little Rock Central for 15 years. The volunteer program introduces students to the value of public service and partners with organizations such as the Special Olympics, Arkansas Enterprise for the Developmentally Disabled, The American Red Cross, Little Rock Kids Marathon, The Salvation Army, and the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind. Kay and her student volunteers spent countless hours attending events and organizing fundraisers for these organizations. Kay’s leadership and the club’s efforts culminated in the honorary award of Outstanding Volunteer Organization by the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ National Philanthropy Day Awards. Under her leadership, Central’s Junior Civitan became the largest Junior Civitan in the world, with over 600 members. Kay was also selected Little Rock School District’s Teacher of the Year in the 2003/2004 school year, a much deserved honor recognizing her impact and dedication to her students’ educational pursuits.
 
Kay and Bob had four children during their marriage. All their children attended Central High School. Their son Robert is an attorney in Little Rock. He is married to Elizabeth. Their other children, Cheryl, Donna, and Scott are no longer with us. Kay was a true force of nature in all of her endeavors, from guiding her students and coaxing out their talents to continuously cultivating a loving and hospitable environment not only for her, her husband, children and grandchildren, but for everyone who came into her home on Iviers Drive.
 
Kay moved through life creating feelings of warmth and acceptance that touched everyone. She thought of and tended to others her entire life. Kay held her loved ones to high standards. All that knew her would agree that the tougher she was, the more she cared for you, always challenging your potential.
 
Praise was a quality that Kay constantly deserved, but she selflessly preferred that others receive the praise and commendation. Every now and then we meet someone who is different. Someone who has qualities never seen before. Someone who is kind and gentle and truthful. Kay was that kind of person, and for all this, we will keep her in our hearts forever. Kay always expressed hope that everyone’s journey through life be filled with happiness and a closeness to God.
Kay is predeceased by her three children- Scott, Cheryl, and Donna Cortinez, and she leaves behind her devoted husband, Bob Cortinez; loving sisters, Mimi Heinrichs and Trisha Spione; and her beloved son Robert and his wife Elizabeth Cortinez. Kay was known as “TaTa’ by her treasured grandchildren- Courtny Stricklin, Cody Cortinez, Sarah Ferguson, Trey, Carly, and Caleb Cortinez; but also, her great grandchildren- Emma, Abby and Lily McGarrah, Ruby Logan, Adeline McNew, great-great grandchildren, Westyn and Hastyn McHam and her nephews Jon, Dougal and Corrigan Neralich.
 
We all cherish the lasting impact of Kay’s presence and love. Instead of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Little Rock Compassion Center or Our House, two of Kay’s favorite charities.
 
Funeral services will be 2:30 p.m. February 6, 2024, at St. James United Methodist Church, 321 Pleasant Valley Dr., Little Rock, Arkansas 72212. Funeral arrangements are provided by Ruebel Funeral Home. To sign the online guestbook go to RuebelFuneralHome.com