Ramona Hurtado

Ramona went to meet our Lord on March 28th. She passed peacefully, at the age of 86. Born on January 15, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, and lived the last 76 years of her life here in California. She married the love of her life in 1951. Together they had almost 50 wonderful years of marriage until Victor’s passing in February 2001.

Together, she and Victor were blessed with six children. In later years, their blessings continued with the spouses our Lord had chosen for their children. In addition, Ramona and Victor became loving Grandparents, Great-Grandparents, and most recently Great-Great Grandparents. Ramona was referred to as “GMO” by family and many friends. “KIKO” was another loving name she was entitled to, as this is a Spanish slang meaning “Kiss.” She loved wearing her red lipstick and would never leave home without it. If you were lucky enough to be her child or grandchild, then you have experienced her bright red lip prints upon your face. Ramona leaves this legacy with a daughter and many of her granddaughters, who also continue the Red Lipstick tradition.

Ramona loved her job, working for the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department, and made life-long friendships with a close circle of coworkers. She retired in 1993, which allowed her and Victor to start a life of traveling, road trips, going on cruises, all of which they both loved. In their earlier years, they loved their annual family vacations of camping and experiencing all of what nature has to offer in some of California’s most beautiful forests.

After Victor’s passing, Ramona attended a wonderful bereavement group which gave her the understanding of how to handle her grief, sadness, loneliness, and the feeling of being lost. There in her grief, she met a close-knit group of wonderful people who were all going through the same emotional roller coaster. Here she developed another circle of some very life-long friendships. Together they got involved in enjoying various activities such as crafts, crochet, playing the ukulele, visiting each other's houses, shopping, going out to lunch together, took field trips and most of all . . . discovered Line Dancing! Ramona had such a love for Line Dancing that she joined the talented “Carson Senior Line Dancers.” Together they would perform at various parties, park recreation events, convalescent homes, and Holiday shows. She kept physically active between the performing dates, attending Line Dancing classes five days each week, and learning new choreography dance steps.

Ramona lives on in our hearts and leaves a life of precious memories to her family and friends. She cherished her family of many Sisters, Brothers, Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins. But of most importance, she loved her Jesus, believed in Him, spoke daily to Him, had lots of faith in Him, and gave her life to Him. She read her daily devotions and read of Him through her Bible. She had many favorite Bible Scriptures but particularly loved Psalm 121, which begins as “I lift up my eyes to the mountains, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.”

Much like her husband Victor, Ramona had a fondness for Hummingbirds. They often fly around her home, and Ramona had one particular Hummingbird, she named “Stinker!” Since he does not like to share his nectar and will protect it from other Hummingbirds. Before leaving this earth, Ramona told her daughters to keep watch for three visiting Hummingbirds. In Spirit, these Hummingbirds will be mom, dad, and a loved one. It’s a reminder of a quote often said, “Those we love, don’t go away. They fly beside us every day.”

So spread your beautiful wings Ramona and let your spirit soar straight up to the Heavens.