Tomasa Ramirez Ybarra's Obituary
Mrs. Tomasa (Ramirez) Ybarra, age 88, passed away Sunday, March 22, 2015 with her children and family by her side at Heartwood Lodge in Spring Lake, MI. Born Tomasa Ramirez on December 29, 1926 to Estevan and Concepcion Ramirez in Round Rock, Texas, she was one of nine children. Tomasa spent her early childhood migrating and working alongside family members as a farmworker. When able to attend school, she excelled in her studies. She loved to read and play baseball. In 1948 she met and married her sweetheart, Clemente Ybarra. They shared 52 years of marriage and raised six children until his passing in 2000. While Tomasa’s children attended Fruitport Schools, she affixed herself in the community with the PTA, March of Dimes, and many other charities. Tomasa worked for Fruitport Schools for several years in the lunchroom and playground, overseeing many of Fruitport’s children who have acknowledged her care of them. Tomasa graduated from Fruitport High School and went on to attend Muskegon Community College. She was employed as a Social Worker for many years assisting the Spanish speaking community at El Centro Latino. Tomasa was an activist for the civil rights of the Mexican community and was recognized in 1982 by the Michigan Department of Education as the Hispanic Advocate of the Year. In her later years she worked for Senior Resources in Muskegon County as a Senior Companion; assisting and visiting the elderly. In 2008, on her 80th birthday, Tomasa was recognized by her children and memorialized with a scholarship in her name (TOMASA RAMIREZ YBARRA SCHOLARSHIP) at Community Foundation for Muskegon County. The scholarship emphasizes education, cultural heritage, and recognizes outstanding Hispanic high school graduates in furthering their education. She will be dearly missed by her children, Beatrice Walter of Muskegon, Sylvia Steeg of Kalamazoo, Roque Ybarra and David Ybarra, both of Fruitport; her sister, Irene “Connie” Navarro of Muskegon; 5 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Along with her husband, Clemente Sr., Tomasa was proceeded in death by her sons, Valentin Ybarra and Clemente Ybarra Jr.; and daughter-in-law, Sheri Lyn Ybarra. A MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL will be held 10:00 AM Friday, March 27, 2015 at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 451 S. Getty Street with Rev. Fr. Matthew Barnum presiding. INTERMENT will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery. VISITATION with the family will be 4:30-8:00 PM Thursday at The Lee Chapel, 6291 S. Harvey St. 231 798-1100, with the Rosary being prayed at 4:30pm. MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS may be made to the TOMASA RAMIREZ YBARRA SCHOLARSHIP in care of Community Foundation for Muskegon County.
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