Ramona Angela Garcia

Ramona Angela was born to Anastacio and Regina Romo on June 1, 1928 in Pittsburg, California. When she was very young, her parents took her and her brother and sisters back to Aguascalientes, Mexico to live. When she was young she worked picking cotton in both Texas and Tennessee in order to send money home to her parents.

When she was only sixteen, Ramona moved back to California where her older brother John was already living. At nineteen, she met and married Arthur Garcia. They had Art and Richie, but shortly before Becky was born Arthur died in a work-related accident at the young age of 26.

Ramona stayed in the Martinez area until she moved to Fresno in 1965. By then, Vicky, Margaret, Shorty, George, Alice and Lupe had joined the family. It was in the house on Backer Avenue that she raised her nine children by herself. By the Grace of God and more than a few well-aimed chonklas, she was successful at this enormous task. Life was not easy, but the kids had each other to play with and have many wonderful memories of their childhood. Ramona believed in hard work and would take the kids with her in the fields to pick grapes and whatever was in season. Somehow she managed to get the kids to school and church, even though she never learned to drive. They walked or took the bus where they needed to go.

Ramona's strong Catholic faith sustained her and guided her through life. She joined St. Anthony Mary Claret parish soon after moving to Fresno because it was in walking distance from her home. Over the years she was very involved in the Church as a member of the Guadalupana Society, and serving as both a Lector and Eucharistic Minister. She worked tirelessly for the Annual Church Bazaar and the weekly Bingo games. She used her skills as a seamstress to assist the priests with alterations or repairs of their Vestments.

Another of Ramona's passions was her flower garden. She never met a flower she didn't like. Her roses were well cared for as were the many flowers she would plant each year. It was a sad day when her health would no longer permit her to work in her yard.

Ramona enjoyed crocheting and her afghans were cherished by all those lucky enough to receive one. She taught some of her daughters and grandaughters to crochet as well.

Puzzles occupied Ramona as she got older. She would sit on the living room floor and work on her puzzles. She did so many and wanted to preserve them, so she began gluing them to large pieces of cardboard and then hang her masterpieces throughout the garage.

For many years Ramona was a Foster Grandparent working at Headstart in the classroom. This job brought her such joy! All the kids and teachers alike, loved her very much.

For a woman of limited financial resources, she was very resourceful. She traveled with her Church to Hawaii and to the Holy Land twice. She also went on cruises to the Bahamas and Alaska with family. While visiting the Vatican, she used her feisty determination to push her way to the front to get up close to Pope John Paul II. This was possibly her happiest moment.

After Ramona's own children were grown and moved out, she began what can only be called Grandkids Daycare. She started with two and one was born every year for several years. She had ten grandkids over time who spent quality time with her and their cousins. They developed close bonds during that time. This was in addition to raising her grandson Michael, whose mother Vicky passed away a few months after his birth in 1978. Vicky's death was heart breaking for the family, but most especially for her sister Margaret and Ramona.

Her story would not be complete without talking about tamales! Nana's tamales were coveted by her children, grandchildren, friends and neighbors. Countless hours went into preparing the husks, masa, meat and sauce before finally assembling the tamales. She had very strict standards about how to spread the masa and how much meat should be in each one. Many corrections were made during the assembly line process. The tradition has been passed down to her daughters but they somehow are just not the same. Perhaps Ramona's touch was what made them so special.

In her final years with her health failing, Becky and Bobby, her eldest daughter and her husband, moved Ramona into their home. Their family provided her with loving care. She would remain there for several years, until the end of her life, as Ramona wanted to die at home. Her wish was granted by her God at 5:20 on the morning of July 8, 2018.

May she fly with the Angels and watch over us all.

Preceding Ramona in death were her parents, brothers and sisters, husband Arthur, daughter Victoria, grandson Robert Arthur Salcido, granddaughter Rachel Garcia, and grandson Victor Montejano.

Mourning her loss are her children and their spouses: Art and Barbara Garcia, Rich and Sandie Garcia, Becky and Bobby Salcido, Margaret Chimkey, Shorty and Karen Barrera, George and Sally Barrera, Alice Velasco, Lupe and Manuel Montejano. Grandchildren and their spouses: Melanie Chimkey and her fiance Brandon Beck and Michelle Chimkey; Michael Montejano; Andrea and husband David Martinez and Mona Salcido; Chris Barrera, Tim Barrera and Josh Barrera; Marina and Brent Garcia, Jared Velasco, Marissa Velasco, and her companion Robert Marquez; Aric Garcia and fiancee Adriana Fukuzato; Rosie Montejano, Joe Manuel and Maria Montejano, Patricia Montejano. There are also twenty six great grandchildren and another due in September.