Esther Arias Ramirez

Esther Arias Ramirez, a resident of Ventura, California since 2006, passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of Thursday, April 8, 2010 of complications from Alzheimer’s disease. She was surrounded by her family the day before she passed, expressing her love for them and blessings for the full life that she has lived. She is survived by sister Consuelo Montelongo (husband Albert); her sons Carlos (wife Aurora), George (Heather) and Steve (Prairie), 5 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Esther was born April 23, 1920 in San Bernardino, California to Vicente and Esperanza (Martinez) Arias. She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Charles Ramirez and siblings Eddie, Stella, Alfonso, and Vicente Arias. Educated in Los Angeles public schools, she survived the Long Beach earthquake of 1933 which destroyed Abraham Lincoln High School in Los Angeles. Hers was the first class to graduate from the newly rebuilt campus in 1938. Among her notable classmates were Robert George Young and Robert Preston Meservey (better known as actors Robert Young and Robert Preston). High school principal during these years was Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, the first woman high school principal in California. Dr. Andrus is better known as the founder of AARP in 1958. As with most people of her generation who grew up during the Great Depression, she lived a modest life and was always mindful of life’s blessings. She was and an eternal optimist (“things will turn out for the best”) and the embodiment of the spirit of kindness who set an example of philanthropy for her sons through her life-long support of worthy causes for the benefit of others. Her sons proudly continue the tradition set by her examples of making a difference in the lives of others. During World War II (1939 - 1945) in the period preceding her marriage, she supported the war effort working at ITT Canon Electric Company in Los Angeles. With labor in short supply, she was among a largely female workforce who were recruited and trained to support large manufacturing volumes of connectors that Canon was making for U.S. military aircraft to support the war effort. In 1943, this team was awarded the first of several Army Navy “E” awards. Near the end of World War II, she married Charles (“Chuck”) Ramirez. Though they were not high school sweethearts, Chuck would later charm his way into her life. Nuptials were exchanged on Sunday, July 2, 1944 at Our Lady of Help Catholic Church in Los Angeles. Through this union were born Carlos, George and Steve. In the 1950’s, the family moved to Merced California for a short time before relocating to Los Angeles. It was during the family’s time in Merced that Esther developed a life-long love for Yosemite National Park, a short drive from Merced. Her love of Yosemite sparked the beginning of a generations-long tradition of camping and lodging there. A tradition continued by her great grandchildren and their parents today. In the mid-1960’s she and husband Charles built a contemporary adobe home on a hillside in Los Angeles overlooking the city. It was one of three adobe homes in Los Angeles at the time. In early 1950’s she became an Avon Representative during the period when “Avon Calling” became a hugely successful television advertising campaign. She became part of a $55 million annual sales force and went on to receive many awards from the Avon Company as an outstanding representative. In the 1970’s Avon sent a production crew from New York to film her activities. This was later made into a promotional film to recruit Latinas as Avon Representatives. After they became empty nesters, Esther and Charles travelled extensively from the 1970’s through the 1980’s. One of her favorite destinations was the middle east, where she journeyed for religious fulfillment and a sense of history. From the 1950’s through the 1980’s she remained active in her Los Angeles community of Lincoln Heights, advocating for causes that she believed in. She was particularly proud of “fighting city hall” when it came to zoning issues involving streets and residential property. After the death of her husband Charles in 1990, she gradually became reclusive but always in the company of her beloved dog Missy. In 2006 she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and moved to Ventura California. During the ensuing years, her cognitive and physical abilities gradually declined until the time of her death. On April 23, 2010, a memorial mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church, 2210 Sichel Street, Los Angeles, CA 90031. The mass will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Yosemite Fund (www.yosemitefund.org) and/or to The Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) in the memory of Esther Ramirez.