Tributes

LIFE AND TIMES OF LEONOR PACHECO RAMIREZ October 7, 1947-November 16, 2019 Leonor (Nora) Pacheco Ramirez was born on October 7, 1947 in San Antonio, Texas at the Old Santa Rosa Maternity Ward to Maria del Socorro Castellano and Abigael Pacheco. She passed away peacefully on November 16, 2019, surrounded by husband and family members at her side. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents and Grandma Pita, Guadalupe (Lupita) Cerna Castellano. Nora was the first of seven children. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Rodolfo (Rudy) Ramirez; siblings, Sylvia (Val Gonzales), Leticia (Mario Mercado), Abel Pacheco, Saul Pacheco (Pamela), Rosalinda (Henry Ramirez), and Ramon Carlos Pacheco. She is also survived by her godparents, Ramon and Elida Castellano, uncles, aunts, and cousins, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Nora had happy memories of growing up on Ruiz St. She attended the old Bowie Elementary, old Washington Irving Middle School, and old Louis Fox Tech High School where she was a proud Red Jacket marching in several Battle of Flowers Parades. She graduated in 1966 and lamented that her schools had been recycled. She was a member of the swelling wave of Baby Boomers with expectations to match the popular characterization of that generation. She was raised Methodist. It was a blessing when a Southern Methodist University graduate working as a YWCA counselor at the old International Center Westside Branch on S. Pecos counseled Nora to apply at SMU and she was accepted with financial assistance in the Fall of 1966. Her glorious University Intermural Activity was as a member of the synchronized swimming Dolphin Club at SMU. She was proud of her educational experience and alumnus status with SMU and after completing three years she returned to San Antonio in 1969. 2 In 1969, she worked as an Early Childhood Teacher with the old Head Start Program. Still with her eyes on completing her education, she entered the Harry Jerzig School of Speech Pathology at Our Lady of the Lake University and earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1974 . Later in the summer, she married Rudy on August 3, 1974 , and had a memorable outdoor wedding ceremony at Sunken Gardens. After a whirlwind honeymoon in Mexico , she started working with the Edgewood ISD . In late December of her first professional work year, she was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. After experiencing serious medical complications, in her recovery treatment she was transferred to The University Health Hospital and lamentably lapsed into a 14 day coma. This was a life changing experience as she emerged with numerous chronic medical, cognitive, and physical conditions and disabilities. She was unable to resume her professional role at Edgewood ISD . A career love unfulfilled, she took up a new career, lifestyle surviving and coping with pernicious health aspects secondary to Lupus. Periodic episodes , especially TIA'S and strokes over forty five years kept adding lifestyle limitations to the new burden of aging. Winter of 1976, Nora was receiving Braille instruction from the Lighthouse for the Blind for her progressive vision impairment. Nora and Rudy made an economy two month camping trip to Europe before she would lose all sight. She experienced an adventurous car tour, camping from England to Greece and back along the Mediterranean coast from Italy to Spain and back to London. London and Greece were favorites though she relished it all and whenever they watched world news or movies, Rudy would remind her that she had been there. She liked that she had done it while she still could. That had been the hoped outcome. Nora continued liking travel whenever possible and as health permitted. She accompanied Rudy on work conferences and related trips to San Francisco, Aspen, New Orleans, Chicago, Portland, Maine, and Puerto Rico. 3 Nora enjoyed a wonderful extended family vital support group. With six siblings and numerous nephews and nieces, uncles, aunts, and cousins, she never lacked for life infusing celebrations and gatherings.The cornerstone of support was her mother and father who cared for her when Rudy was working or traveling. The extended Pacheco family were active Methodists. Pollard Memorial Methodist was big in her bag of memories. She fondly remembered as children that the family would go to Mi Tierra restaurant after Sunday services at the old Pollard on San Saba Street, Pollard had been important in her youth and now in her challenging adulthood was another component of her support circle. Nora welcomed the era of programmable cable. Because she could not master a remote, Rudy would program her favorite rerun comedies like I Love Lucy, and Golden Girls and many other to include detective shows like Perry Mason, Matlock, and other episodes. Then, there was her off tract filler and memory snatcher –Music Choice Solid Gold Oldies, songs she and her sisters and brothers had grown up with. The era music was like a memory security blanket, warming, and of a time when she could do it all. For Nora, happiness could be as incredibly simple as good memories precipitated by the magic of programmable cable. Much gratitude and respect for the crucial role of Kindred Hospice Care in Nora's end game. Under their umbrella were Nurses, Social Workers, Personal Home Health providers, and Volunteer services for home visits and companionship, and of course office support and coordination. Thank you all, especially Nurse Evelyn, CNA Sylvia, and Volunteer Tammy, and Chaplain Kim. God Bless America. The family will receive guests at the Mission Park North on Cherryridge on Saturday, November 30th at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lupus Foundation.

Tributes

Leonor "Nora" Pacheco Ramirez

October 7, 1947 - November 16, 2019