Alicia Morales Ramirez

Alicia Morales Ramirez, 94, long time resident of Brentwood, passed away peacefully June 27, 2019 in her home surrounded by loving family. She met numerous challenges in her long and productive life with an active mind, sharp wit, big heart, and penchant for civic activism until she reluctantly succumbed to complications from a fall suffered earlier this year.

She leaves behind 10 adoring children and in-laws including Frances (Dick) Falt, Clara (Roger) Hamilton, Linda (Alfredo) Ambriz, Rudy (Yolanda) Ramirez, Paul (Liz) Ramirez, Sylvia Mendoza, Rick (Joni) Ramirez, Mary (Gil) Palacio, Robert (Jena) Ramirez, and Ernie (Ginger) Ramirez. With great pride and joy, she will also continue “watching over” 28 grandchildren and their spouses, 22 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.

Alicia was predeceased by her husband Pablo, parents Juan and Gregoria, and siblings Maria, Roberto, Olivia, Adolfo, and “Lolo”. She will also be joyfully reuniting with Johnny Provencio and Pablo Mendoza, two of her grandchildren.

Born in Brownsville, Texas in 1925, Alicia had to abandon dreams of higher education to help her family through the tough economic times that were ravaging the country during her youth. While hard work in the factories and fields of south Texas fostered a strong work ethic it did not dull her love of music and dance. In fact, she was an excellent dancer who caught the eye of a handsome young cavalry trooper in the US Army, PFC Pablo Ramirez. They married before he was shipped out during WWII to fight in the jungles of Burma behind enemy lines. Alicia, now pregnant, had to endure agonizing communication blackouts before learning Pablo’s mission had been successfully completed and he was now in China training Chinese troops. After the war ended, her husband returned with a Bronze Star and other decorations and they set about building their family in the sleepy agricultural town of Brentwood.

As Brentwood grew, so did Pablo and Alicia’s family as birthdays, baptisms, communions, and weddings were all celebrated with back yard barbeques, fiestas, lively Mexican music, and dances at the local Veterans Hall. Not forgetting Alicia’s own experience, she and Pablo spent hard earned money on educational items like World Book Encyclopedias and Child Craft Books, even as they made sure their kids experienced the value of hard summer work in the fields and orchards of Brentwood. Their kids flourished in school.

Remarkably, Alicia had also found time to extend her positive influence beyond her own kids. As far back as 1947 Alicia had been instrumental in encouraging Hispanic families to enroll their kids in school. Impressed with the informal efforts of this mom to help her community and her kids’ success in school, the local school district hired her as a bilingual instructional aide in 1964. Her tireless work over the next 26 years helping countless students, parents, and staff, including helping start the area’s first Head Start program, earned her numerous awards and recognition.

Tragically, Pablo died unexpectedly in 1968 leaving Alicia with 7 kids still at home. Alicia once again gathered her strength and guided her (sometimes) rebellious kids through the turbulent 1970s as they wrestled with service in the Viet Nam war, student activism in Bay area colleges, political and labor unrest, and new cultural values. With loving encouragement, and a knock to the head, as needed, many of her kids and grandchildren went on to attend universities throughout California as others began successful careers in many different areas.

Alicia was also influential on numerous religious, civic, governmental and non-governmental organizations to improve the lives of area residents. Even after retirement she continued to volunteer at the Kaiser Clinic and local food pantry. This lifelong commitment to improving the community earned her a place in the Brentwood museum of the East Contra Costa Historical Society where she and Pablo are listed among influential families that made a positive difference in the Brentwood area.

In her later years, with her devoted daughters in tow, Alicia found a passion for bingo and casinos. Prior to that, she could be found watching her sons’ high school wrestling meets where she could be heard yelling “No te dejes!” if the match was not going well. It roughly translates as “Don’t you let them!” and was perhaps symbolic of how she lived her life. Her children adopted this motto for their annual family athletic competition which has been held annually since 1982. For many years, a very proud Alicia would kick off the competition with a wave of her hand in the morning and meet the contestants with a smile and a heaping plate of food at the end of the day.

Her daughters Frances, Clara, Linda, Sylvia, and Mary deserve special recognition for their unselfish and loving care for her during her final journey.

A vigil will be held for Alicia on July 15, 2019 at 6 pm, followed by a 7 pm rosary, in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church at 500 Fairview Ave., Brentwood California. The following day, July 16, will include a Mass at 11 am in the same location, followed by a Celebration of Life in the church hall.