Esperanza Cruzaley Ramirez

Esperanza (Hopi, Grandma,) Ramirez went to the Lord peacefully while expressing love for her family. A loving mother of Ricardo (deceased at 6mos.), Carlos, Sylvia (deceased 2007) and Victor. Grandmother to nine grandchildren, twenty one great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Additionally, she was a second mother to many, not just literally, but some who actually lived with us and became part of our immediate family. Esperanza was born in Patzcuaro, Mexico, February 10, 1917. Although coming close to death in her first year and a half of life, she grew up to be a precocious and adventurous child. She learned to read and write by the age of four with help from her grandmother and was allowed to start school at that early age. Although she was always the youngest student in every grade she sought to help others in class. Her mother was a teacher and unbeknownst to her mother, at the age of 16, Esperanza applied for and was hired as rural teacher for a one room school house in a very small community serving nearby ranches. She taught there until 1935; at the age of 18 she met and married Antonio Ramirez the same year. As their family grew, they moved to three different cities. Her entrepreneurial spirit kicked in and she successfully opened a Grocery Store at each location where they moved. Although, a very young woman, her ability to connect with people quickly gained her respect not only in the business community which was dominated by men, but also by women who sought her advice and counsel. Antonio, who had previously lived and worked in the United States made the decision to move the family to the United States. In order to accomplish that goal, he obtained a permanent U.S Visa and moved to the U.S. in 1948, while leaving the family behind so that he could save enough money to have the family join him. By the end of 1950, Permanent U.S. Visas were obtained for the family and we were able to immigrate to the USA in February, 1951. The adjustment to a new Country, not speaking the language, and going from being an independent business woman to laboring in a celery packing plant was a very difficult adjustment for her. Never the less, within a period of three years after our arrival and as the result of the sacrifices and hard work by both her and our father, the family was able to achieve the American Dream by buying a house in Santa Monica, CA. Her insistence in making education her children’s top priority along with instilling a strong work ethic helped to mold all of us into productive and successful members of this great country. Her love for life, curiosity, history and adventurous spirit led her to travel to many countries around the world and to many places in our country. Her motto was “when someone asks you to go somewhere or to do something, never say no, because they may not ask you again”. She lived up to that her entire life. She was a strong, beautiful and loving woman who was an example to all who knew her. Her love for God, life and everyone she met was impossible to ignore. That love, brought her an incalculable amount of love by her entire family, friends and people she met. She was a living example of a life well lived. In keeping with her spirit, the family would like to share the blessing that she gave to all of us whenever we got ready to leave after a visit with her or were getting ready to travel. She has gone to meet our savior and so we say goodbye to her in the same manner that she taught us. May the Lord Bless you and protect you May he reveal himself to you May he have mercy on you May he look kindly upon you and grant you peace May God be with you and you with him May you follow in his footsteps May the body of our Lord Jesus Christ Guard your soul through eternal life May the Father bless you The Son protect you And the Holy Spirit accompany you Where ever you may go In keeping with her wishes the family asks that in lieu of flowers you pray for her or attend a service of your choice. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be conducted during the 49th Annual gathering of family and friends at Shaver Lake, CA in August of 2016. Details will follow at a later date.

Esperanza Cruzaley Ramirez

February 10, 1917 - November 10, 2015