Pilar Ramos (Diaz Gonzalez) Obituary (1922 - 2020)

Pilar Ramos (1922 - 2020) Pilar (Diaz Gonzalez) Ramos, 97, of Springfield, MA, peacefully went to be with the Lord on June 23, 2020. In her final days, she was surrounded by loved ones--family members and caretakers alike. Pilar, one of Aquilino Diaz and Satrunina Gonzalez's ten children, was born October 12, 1922, in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, where, in time, she met and married Luis Ramos. She and he moved to Massachusetts with their eight children in 1961. Pilar's work ethic was developed through long days in Connecticut tobacco fields, after which she returned to take care of her family in Springfield. Eventually, that family expanded to include two of her grandsons, Juan and Oscar, whom she also helped raise. Pilar became well-known in Springfield's Catholic community, first as a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church in Springfield and, later, as a loyal congregant at Blessed Sacrament Church. She was also a member of the Legion of Mary for many years and avidly prayed the Holy Rosary daily. Pilar was a decades-long contributor to several charitable organizations. Through World Vision and Padres y Hermanos de Maryknoll, she sponsored two specific underprivileged children whose development she followed over the years. In her free time, she enjoyed playing dominoes and cards, but took particular delight in Bingo. It became her twice-weekly activity--Wednesday and Saturday community center outings to which she looked forward, for both the game and the opportunity to socialize. She was a nurturing mother and her door was always open to family and friends. A warm, generous, welcoming woman, she always cooked plenty of food--just in case someone might stop by. Most memorably, she was known and respected for her elegance, grace, and dignity. Pilar was predeceased by her husband of more than 50 years, Luis; her daughter Felicita Turner; her grandson Jose Lisboa; and all nine of her siblings--Juana, Filomena, Felicita, Santa, Lucia, Esther, Bartolo, Evaristo, and Pablo. She leaves behind her beloved--and devastated--children (and their spouses) Antonio Ramos (Santo), Ramona Nieves (Esteban), Jose Luis Ramos, twins Emilio Ramos (Margarita) & Emilia Torres, Gloria Lisboa (Jose), and Andres Ramos. This aching loss is a weight felt by four generations of family members for whom she was the matriarch--a fixture and a symbol of stability, love, belief, and character. Her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren miss her loving presence immensely. The family is grateful to Baystate Hospice and especially to the Palliative Care Team of Brightwood Health Center. Services will be held on Thursday, July 2, 2020, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM., at North End Funeral Home,130 Carew Street, Springfield, MA, followed by a Mass at 11:30 AM, at Blessed Sacrament Church, 40 Waverly Street, Springfield, MA. Burial will be at Gates of Heaven, 421 Tinkham Road, Springfield, MA.