Ramona Vita Andres

She is survived by her daughters, Mary Andres James of Hanford and Amy Jane Andres of Doha, Qatar, her grandchildren Meghan James (Richard) of Seattle, WA and Patrick James (Katherine) of Washington, DC., her sister Rita McCullough of San Diego, sister-in-law Dolores Garisto, niece Anne Franklin, nephews Michael, Steven and Bradley Garisto, and numerous great-nieces and nephews. Not to be forgotten are her grand-pets, Coco, Leo, Lucy, Hookah, Shimmy, Manousch, Josie, Nico, Stella and Puck.

She was pre-deceased by her parents, Dominic and Anina Garisto, brother Joseph Garisto, special nephews Leo McCullough and Zach Garisto, and special friends Ella Stanton, Barbara Saville, MaryEllen Jobe, Sharon Bannister and Louise Belezzuoli.

Ramona was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada by Italian immigrant parents. She trained as a dental assistant, but fate intervened on a vacation to Hawaii, where she met Charles Andres. They married in 1955 and she became a Navy wife. She lived in Annapolis, MD, Corpus Christi, TX and San Diego, CA, to name a few, before moving to Hanford in 1967 and never leaving.

During the Vietnam War, her husband was Commander of VA-56, an attack squadron based in Lemoore. As such, she was needed to boost morale, promote comradery and give untold support to the wives left behind. She was also required to assist in casualty calls and spoke often of the toll this took and the strength she gained.

In later years, she worked as an Executive Assistant at Sacred Heart Hospital, then transitioned to Director of Human Resources at Kings County Community Action Organization, working there over 25 years. She also was involved in local hospice support groups and developed the first Alzheimer's respite organization in Hanford.

Her interests were varied, she loved watching the NBA, was a master cook and entertainer, gardner, jogger, tennis player, chili cook-off participant and local model. She always was a voracious reader and kept up-to-date with the news, becoming computer savvy. In her later years, highlights were a surprise 75th birthday party and family trips to Italy. She kept in touch with many friends, some dating back 70 years.

Special thanks to Shelley Lasswell, Gloria Pettigrew, Wayne Haskins, Jenn Martin, Dennis Fausone and Jerry Webster.

Her love, support and advice will be dearly missed. Mom, we love you!

No flowers per her request. Donations may be made to your charity of choice.

Services are private, with interment at Calvary Cemetery.