January 20th, 2023, at the very young age of 51 in Tacoma, Washington. Lydia is a cherished mother, daughter, sister, wife, and so much more, to so many people. Lydia was born on January 6th, 1972 to Yolanda and Paul Ramirez in San Antonio, Texas. She was the younger sister of Yvonne and Cynthia, and an older sister to Paul and Valerie.
While Texas was always home in her heart, her sense of adventure and duty as a military spouse led her to spending many years in Michigan, Oklahoma, Germany, Virginia, and finally Washington state. She loved to travel both domestically and abroad, which resulted in an expansive collection of souvenir magnets, which she always had proudly on display. Lydia was quick witted, smart, hilarious, competitive, fiercely protective, and incredibly strong. She faced adversity throughout her life, but her strength was never more apparent than when she fought her courageous battle with breast cancer in 2020. Even through the most challenging and painful lows of treatment, she persisted and overcame.
Lydia was a survivor who made everyone proud to know her.
Yet, even with all of her strength, she was also sensitive, compassionate, caring, and offered so much love to those around her. Forever young at heart, she was a joy to be around. She never took herself too seriously, and was accepting of everyone. She loved to blast 80’s country, rock, and pop music and sang along out loud with no shame. She enjoyed nature, gardening, volunteering to help others, and decorating for the holidays- especially Halloween and Christmas.
Above all, she cherished spending time with her family and her capacity to love them only deepened with time. She filled her home with countless photos of family and fond memories. She was never too old to call her mother “mommy”, and her children were never too old for her to cradle like babies. To her nephews and nieces, she was known as aunt “Lala”, and she would never forget to remind everyone that she held the title of “favorite aunt” and “favorite sister”. She met her soulmate 28 years ago and immediately knew she wanted to marry and give Samantha siblings. She shared a devoted passionate love with her husband of nearly 27 years. To her four children, she was everything. She made growing up exciting, fun, and filled with so much laughter and silliness.
There was never a moment of doubt when it came to what she wouldn't do for them. Lydia was firm in her faith, and the love she had in her heart for God was demonstrated in every moment through her unwavering love and acceptance of those around her. Her encouragement was always guided by her desire to see her loved ones be safe, healthy, and happy, but most of all, to be true to themselves.
It is a small comfort to her family to know that Lydia is now reunited with her beloved brother, Paul Ramirez Jr. in eternal love and peace. They will both be remembered and missed dearly.
Lydia is survived by her husband Jose I. Gatica and her four children, Samantha Ramirez, Sarah Gatica, Sabrina Gatica, and Brian Gatica; her soon to be son-in-law, Brandon DiNunno; her mother and step-father, Yolanda and Mario Donias; her sisters and their families Yvonne Walton, Cynthia Richards, and Valerie Ramirez; her best friend and cousin, April Martinez Moyer; nephews, Jonathan and Christopher Jaimes and David Walton III; as well as many more cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, and her beloved grand-animals, Oliver, Melly, and Frank.
Every joyous milestone will forever be marked with the heartache of her absence and there will never be a moment where she is not missed. Lydia will always be remembered by her family and friends for her infectious laughter, beautiful smile, generosity, adventurous spirit, and enormous capacity for love.
Visitation for Lydia will be from 6-9pm with a 7pm rosary on February, 18, 2023 at Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway. Funeral Service will be at Sunset Funeral Home on February 19, 2023 at 10:00am.
A Visitation will be held at the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel at 8:30 am on Monday, February 20th with a 9:45 am departure from the funeral home in procession to San Fernando Cathedral. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30am, February 20, 2023 at 10:30am at San Fernando Cathedral, 115 W. Main Plaza, San Antonio, Texas, interment will follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com for the Gatica family.
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