Maria Irene Ramirez

Dr. Maria Irene Ramirez, Ed.D., 96, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, September 27, 2020. She was a loving and caring sister, sister-in-law, aunt, and friend. She will be missed by many.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Candelario Ramirez and Isaura Elizondo Ramirez. She was orphaned when she was seventeen. She is also preceded in death by her siblings, Graciela Ramirez, Candelario Hector (Rosa Maria +) Ramirez, Fausto (Edmida) Ramirez of Del Rio, Texas, and Gilberto Ramirez of San Antonio. She is survived by her brother, Jose Edmundo (Aurora) Ramirez, as well as fourteen nieces and nephews and several grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.

Dr. Ramirez was a proud descendant of Jose Cristobal Ramirez and Matiana Hinojosa Ramirez, who were among the founders of Mier, Tamaulipas, Mexico. As the family historian, her countless hours of research resulted in numerous documents and records that will be treasured by her family as part of her legacy. She worked as an elementary school teacher for Laredo Independent School District (1958-1971) and in Austin for the Texas Education Agency as a consultant in the Division of Curriculum Development (1971-1984). At TEA, Dr. Ramirez served as a member of the Texas Head Start Policy Advisory Board headquartered at Texas Tech University.

Dr. Ramirez liked to study and improve on her education. She graduated from St. Augustine Catholic High School and Laredo Junior College. From there, she earned a Bachelor of Science in kindergarten and primary education from Texas Women’s University. At East Texas State University, she earned a Master’s degree in library science and a Doctorate degree in education, supervision, curriculum, and instruction.

In addition to the educational accomplishments, Miss Ramirez earned many endorsements and certificates from the Texas Education Agency. In 1984, she returned to retire in Laredo and was an active member of the Webb County Chapter of the Retired Teachers Association and the Pan American Round Table of Austin and Laredo.

A chapel service will be held on Friday, October 2, 2020, at 11:30 a.m. at Hillside Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. For those unable to attend, the service will be live-streamed from the Hillside Funeral Home Facebook page.

Inurnment will follow to the family plot of the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a memorial donation be made to the Candelario and Isaura Scholarship Endowment at Laredo College, Attention: Donors Relation Office.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the family kindly asks all those wishing to express their condolences in person to maintain social distancing orders, all necessary restrictions will be observed in order to protect the health and safety of those in attendance. In accordance with the city ordinance, the number of visitors will be limited. All visitors must wear face coverings while inside the building. Hand sanitizer is provided upon entry. Continue to practice social distancing while inside the funeral home chapel. We continue to ask that those at risk or those not feeling well stay home and reach out to the family through our website www.hillsidefuneral.com

Arrangements are under the direction of Hillside Funeral Home, 310 Hillside Road.