Aurora Ramirez

People who knew Aurora Ramirez found it easy to describe her. Words like selfless, gentle, dependable and fiercely independent come to mind in a moment. She was committed to her family and her God, faithfully serving in whatever ways she could. She was an extraordinary woman who was filled with joy by laying down her life for her family.

In 1946 Frank Capra produced and directed the movie classic, "It’s a Wonderful Life." Having a wonderful life was exactly what Guillermo and Maria Luisa (Macias) Rodriguez were feeling that year, because on March 16, they welcomed their first child, Aurora, into the world.

Aurora was born in Harlingen, TX, but because of her family’s many relocations, she spent very little time there growing up. Her parents worked the fields picking fruits wherever work was available. After traveling to places in Michigan like Saginaw and Jackson, they eventually settled in Decatur.

Aurora was the first of 11 children. Being the oldest, Aurora played a huge role in the lives of her parents and her siblings. She grew up in a hurry since many adult responsibilities were given to her. Aurora eventually had to leave school so that she could be home full time to help her parents. She was a wonderful big sister and took great care of her siblings while she lived at home. Her brothers and sisters affectionately nicknamed her,Ya Ya.

While picking raspberries in the Decatur fields, Aurora’s bright eyes fell on the "man with the red shoes." He was a handsome young gentlemen who wore a red pair of stylish Staci Adams. He was smitten with Aurora and, although he lived in Chicago, he did everything he could to get to Decatur to see her. His name was Ernesto Ramirez. It was love at first sight for Ernesto and, although Aurora may have been timid because of the dirt and sweat of working in the fields, all Ernesto could see was her beauty. He took a bus from Chicago and then walked 6 miles to get to Aurora’s home in the country. There were times that even after all his travels, Aurora’s protective father would not let Ernesto see her. If Ernesto got to her house on Saturday, her father would give them an hour or two together before the young man had to return to Chicago.

After three long years of dating, Ernesto and Aurora married. Their wedding was held on August 6, 1966 at a Catholic Church in Decatur with a reception at the home of Aurora’s parents, Guillermo and Maria Rodriguez. After the ceremony, they went to Chicago to begin life as husband and wife.

After a few years of Chicago life, the couple moved to Paw Paw, MI where Ernesto got a job at Musselman’s Applesauce Company. During their years in Paw Paw, Aurora and Ernesto were blessed with the births of Ernesto Jr. and Sofia. After Sofia was born, they moved to Lawton, MI and there, they welcomed their third child, Rafael, into their family. Later, the family moved to Texas for two years but eventually returned to Michigan and settled in the city of Holland.

In addition to being a loving and supportive mother, Aurora worked very hard outside the home. She worked for 11 years in Lawton at Allenworth Paper making folders. While in Holland, Aurora worked another 20 years at Robert Shaw Controls making grids and grills for microwaves.

Although Aurora was a diligent employee, that is not what she will be remembered for. She was committed to being connected with her children while they were growing up. Whatever their interests were became her interests. She willingly learned as much as she could about whatever sport her children were involved in. Aurora made it a priority to attend as many of their events as possible. Her son will never forget how going to Red Lobster for his birthday became a tradition. Aurora’s bonds with her children remained strong throughout their adult years as well. She was even blessed with the opportunity to be in the delivery room for the births of Sofia’s two daughters.

Aurora was an amazing mother, so it was no surprise when she turned out to be an extraordinary grandmother. She was a grandmother to seven very blessed grandchildren. At one point in each of the grandchildren’s lives, they spent time living with Aurora and Ernesto. She became a surrogate mother to her son’s children. When one of Aurora’s grandbabies was sick and, in the hospital over night, she insisted on staying in the hospital room the entire time. For Mother’s Day, all the grandchildren gave Aurora gifts because they truly loved her like a mother. If the grandchildren went a few days without seeing her, they would ask to take a trip over to reconnect with their loving grandma.

She made Friday nights special by packing up the grandkids and heading out to a restaurant for dinner. Sundays after church was also a time Aurora chose to celebrate. She invited all the family over and made the family’s favorite meal, enchiladas. Her enchiladas were so good that family members would ask her to make the recipe for them to bring to potlucks.

Although Aurora spent many of her days in pain because of her pancreatic cancer, she did not let that stop her from making the best of the time she had left with her family. Aurora did her best to hide her pain and continued being there for her family in any way she could. As the cancer became worse, she knew she did not have much time left. Aurora made a point to call every family member before she died and told them not to worry about her.

Aurora was a compassionate woman who gave continuously to her family throughout her lifetime. She lived a quiet but contented life, secure in her role and free from want. Aurora’s dedication brought light and warmth to many. She will be greatly missed.

Aurora Ramirez, 59, of Holland, died Thursday, April 21, 2005 at Holland Community Hospital. She was preceded in death by her father; Guillermo Sr. Rodriguez. Her family includes her husband, Ernesto Sr. Ramirez; her children, Ernesto Jr. Ramirez of Holland, Sofia and John Gainey of Holland and Rafael Ramirez of Holland; seven grandchildren; her mother, Maria Luisa Rodriguez of Harlingen, TX; siblings, Guillermo (Bill) and Minerva Rodriguez Jr. of Harlingen, TX, Guadalupe Cruz of Texas, Joe and Toya Rodriguez of Holland, Ernestina and Mario Martinez of Texas, Ortencia (Tencha) Rodriguez of Holland, Ruben Rodriguez of Holland, Gloria Cruz of Holland, Rosa and Albert Emerson of Texas, Rick and Virginia Rodriguez of Texas and Yolanda and Quinton McClendon of Detroit; in-laws, Arnold and Juanita Sanchez of Texas, Esequiel Ramirez of Michigan, Bob and Betty Ramirez of Illinois, Rodolfo and Mary Lou Rosas Texas, Jose and Diana Ramirez of Texas and Ray and Martha Ramirez of Illinois and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

To learn more about Aurora’s life, friends may visit with family from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9p.m. on Sunday at the Mulder Chapel, Dykstra Funeral Homes, 188 W. 32nd Street. Funeral services will be held at 11:00a.m. on Monday at the Lakeshore House of Prayer, 831 Lincoln Avenue with Pastor Daniel Moreno officiating. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens. Please visit Aurora’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a memory, order flowers online or make a memorial contribution. Memorials may be made to the Light of Calvary Church.