Ramona "Monie" Ruiz Sierras-Hodge

September 18, 1950 - February 5, 2026

Ramona, a devoted wife, beloved mother, and all of her siblings’ favorite sister, had been called home suddenly on February 5, 2026. She was so devoted to her husband that she couldn't wait another day to be back in his arms, joining him just a little over a year after his passing. With the peace of knowing that they did the best job raising their kids, Ramona leaves behind two loving daughters, Marisela and Alexis Hodge. She is also survived by her brother Jesse Sierras, her sister Mary Helen Perry, and a large extended family filled with cousins, nieces and nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. Ramona’s passing leaves a giant hole in all of their hearts.

Ramona was born to Petra Ruiz and Raymond Sierras in 1950 and was raised in Firebaugh, California. Being one of 10 can usually be a little hectic, but their family made it work. She spent her childhood learning in school while also working in the cotton fields with her siblings and mother. It was in the fields that she fell in love with music. In the distance, as she and her siblings were piling up cotton to be sorted, she could hear the radios of the other workers and learned to sing and dance along to every song that played. As she got older, Ramona moved from hard labor to a college education in Coalinga, California. She had big plans to leave the sleepy town of Firebaugh and moved to San Jose, California to make it on her own.

Ramona and Wayne met in London, England at an Armed Forces gala while he was stationed there. Ramona saw him from across the room and knew she had to find out who he was. Her sister Helen was married to Wayne's commanding officer, so one comment to her sister and the rest was history! They dated through letters and phone calls in between visits while he was on leave, and were married on July 13, 1987, in San Jose, California. The two settled down in Fremont, California, and started their little family, with Marisela being born first on May 9, 1988, and Alexis following 3 years later on August 20, 1991.

Ramona started her long and successful career with the City of San Jose in the Narcotics department as a dispatcher. She moved through the different departments, not only exploring her curiosities, but also her talents. She moved into Environmental Services, then Animal Services, and truly hit her stride when she made it to the Parks and Recreation Department. She helped organize and walk in the San Jose Holiday parade, helped coordinate and keep schedules for all PNRS events, and even helped with San Jose family camp tent bookings, payment, and coordination. She was loved and respected by all her coworkers, especially the rangers. They always said if you needed something done, you go to Ramona!

Ramona, also affectionately known as Monies and Ramonsita, was a devoted wife, mother, and friend to any one she knew. She was selfless, kind, generous, and a faithful servant to our Lord. She spent her free time teaching catechism to students of all ages and preparing them to receive not only their first communion, but their conformation. She was a mother to all, a spiritual warrior of Christ, and most of all, a safe place for anyone in need. She was fiery, fierce, and the strongest woman anyone could ever know. She handled everything from happiness to hardship with grace and love. Ramona is a beacon of light in a sea of darkness, and her light will continue to shine in our hearts and minds until we see her again.