Gloria Lovato Ramirez

She was born in Ventura, California, and was lovingly raised by her grandparents in Woodlake, California. Gloria married Pedro Zavala Ramirez in 1955, having met Pedro “Pete” a field worker in a room and board that Gloria’s Tia provided. They later married in Riverside, and together they built a beautiful life in Woodlake filled with family and love and raised seven children.

A fighter since birth, Gloria worked hard throughout her life as a homemaker, field worker, and in a packing house, always with infectious energy and laughter. Throughout her life she was a talented vendor at flea markets, with all her natural charisma and outgoing nature. Gloria was a generous woman; she volunteered her time at her local food pantry, assisted those in her community without asking for anything in return, and was an inviting presence to family and friends of her children and neighborhood; she was always devoted to her family. Outside of her love for her family, she loved watching films and television, a night at the casino, and visiting her community senior center; where her eyes twinkled as she socialized with her friends, participated in crafts, and played a good game of bingo. Gloria was also an incredible cook, famous in her family for traditional favorites such as tamales and pozole—meals that will be remembered with love for generations. She was a woman of faith who read her daily devotionals and appreciated the beauty of God’s nature in her beloved garden. Remember her for her witty quips, laughter, and the most beautiful smile, never without lipstick and a little blush, that warmed every room she entered.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ricardo and Felicitas Lovato, her beloved husband, Pedro Zavala Ramirez, her sister Jennie Lovato, and her son Peter Ramirez. She is survived by her children, Shirley, Robert, Linda, Irene, David and Eleanor and 28 grandchildren and 45 great-grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren, who will carry her memory forward.

Gloria’s legacy is one of love, faith, hard work, and family. She will be deeply missed but forever cherished.