Bertha R. Barba

Bertha Ramos Barba of Austin passed away on March 11, 2023, at the age of 83. Bertha, known affectionately as “Bird,” was born on May 26, 1939, to Ramón and Julia Ramos. She grew up with her six siblings on Red River St. and later the family moved to east Austin. Bertha was a graduate of Austin High School. In 1958, she married the love of her life, Cruz Barba Jr., with whom she had three children: Rolando, Michael, and Liza Barba, all of Austin. For over 30 years, Bertha worked as a supervisor at Austin Municipal Court, and after retiring, began a new chapter of life as a restaurateur in the 1990s. For 13 years, Bertha and her son Michael owned and operated Margarita’s Mexican restaurant, a successful mainstay of Austin’s North Loop neighborhood. She was known to secretly slip money into the pockets of her loved ones as a special treat, and could often be seen driving across town in her cherished Lincoln Mark VII coupe. Bertha will be remembered for her sense of humor, her business savvy, and her unwavering devotion to family. Bertha is survived by her beloved husband of nearly 64 years, her children, daughter-in-law Renée Barba of Austin, and brother Frank Ramos of El Paso. She will be greatly missed by seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Bertha was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Gilbert and Raymond Ramos; and sisters Alicia Ramos, Josephine Moraga, and Maria Ramos Holmes.