Delphine Ramirez Mojica

Delphine, fondly known as “Fina” and affectionately referred to as “Mouse” by her brothers, was born in Austin, Texas on August 6, 1934 to Arturo and Jesusita Ramirez and was one of their 12 children.

Fina’s legacy is defined by her ability to move through life with grace. Her resiliency was a reflection of her unrelenting inner strength, which was derived, in part, from her experience as a migrant worker. During her youth, she travelled with her family to California each summer and spent long days in the fields picking apricots and prunes. In the fields, she learned how to face difficulties head on and developed a mental fortitude that persisted throughout her lifetime.

Fina also worked in an orphanage when she was a teenager and began dating the love of her life, Manuel (“Manny”), while they were both attending Austin High School. Having been on the receiving end of a chase by Fina’s machete-wielding father, Manny remained undeterred in his pursuit of Fina and ultimately won over her father. After graduating from high school, Fina and Manny were married on September 4, 1955 (68 years ago). They remained inseparable thereafter and the deep love they shared endures to this day.

Fina was a working mother. She always said, “If you can type, you can find a job.” She worked as an administrative assistant for Judge Charles Windberg, Jr. while living in El Paso, Texas when Manny was stationed there during his service in the United States Army. After the family moved back to Austin, Fina taught herself bookkeeping and worked for many years in the payroll and accounting departments at Western American Insurance and, later, Tracor, Inc. In her “spare” time, she was the bookkeeper for Manny’s framing construction company, Mojica Construction. She ultimately retired from Texas Commerce Bank (n/k/a Chase Bank) after over a decade of service where her primary responsibility was managing and processing donation payments made to University of Texas at Austin—Athletics Department.

Fina was elegant in all ways. She never left the house without lipstick and was a consummate fashionista. She was a listener who never met a stranger, and was gracious for every kindness shown to her. She had a knack for finding the perfect gift and always bought extra Christmas presents each year just to have around in case someone showed up unexpectedly. She succeeded in making everyone around her feel special.

She was smart, feisty, and fierce, but also exuded a deep kindness and compassion for her family and friends. Her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren were her greatest passion. She enjoyed attending their games and school functions with Manny, and was devoted to writing letters and messages of love and support to all of them. She promised she would never give up on any of them and she never did.

The sound of her laugh and the smell of her arroz con pollo can never be replaced.

Fina is survived by her husband Manuel Mojica, Jr.; children Mark Mojica, Jodi Moss, and Gina Gonzales (Orlando); granddaughter, Brandy Peery (Dennis), who she raised and called her daughter; grandchildren, Joshua Perez (Ashley), Jacob Perez, Denise Mojica (Michael), Catherine Salazar (Jose), Rusty Perez (Monica), Raven Eilers (Trey), and Melissa Mojica; her 12 great-grandchildren, Anthony, Caleb, Daniel, Scarlett, Isaak, Christian, Skyla, Wren, Sofia, Nya, Ford, and Manuel; and 4 great-great-grandchildren, Bryan, Serenity, Danielle, and Mitchell. She is also survived by her siblings, Mollie Flores (Juan – predeceased), Susie Huerta (David – predeceased), Louis Ramirez, and Yolanda Ramirez, as well as numerous loving nieces and nephews, in-laws, extended family, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her father and mother, Arturo and Jesusita Ramirez; siblings, Connie Mendoza, Leanor “Nora” Arambula (Joe), Cecilia Ramirez, Manuel Ramirez, Arnold Ramirez (Olga), Gilbert Ramirez, and Reynaldo “Ray” Ramirez (Gloria – surviving); and her son-in-law, Robert Moss.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 in the Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 N. Interstate 35, Pflugerville, Texas 78660, with a Rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 1206 E. 9th St., Austin, Texas 78702. The interment will immediately follow in the Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery located at 14501 North Interstate 35, Pflugerville, Texas 78660.

To share words of comfort and memories of Delphine with her family, please visit her memorial at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com.