Monday, February 19, 2018
These are all of the things my grandmother gave to us. I purposefully will not say that this is WHO Eloisa WAS, because all of these things do not end with her passing. They continue on in each of us.
-Hospitality
-Family
-Grace
-Faith
-Pride
-Love
Hospitality:
Joe & Eloisa began their entrepreneurial lives in San Antonio in 1965 at the Sunset Cafe.
Their Michigan experience began in 1966 when they moved to Adrian Michigan. They had come here from San Antonio Texas just for a few summers as a family of migrant farmworkers, and decided to try their luck as permanent residents as they joined Joe's birth mother Estella's family.
Eloisa's parents Virginia and Pablo had settled in Detroit in the late 1950's so needless to say Joe & Eloisa's stay in Adrian did not last long before they opted to relocate to Detroit.
Joe & Eloisa led the family venture starting with J&E resale shop.
Next came Ramirez Taco Mart in SW Detroit from 1981-2001. Then came Ramirez Family Restaurant in Hudson MI until 2003.
You will hear so many more memories that were shared at our family business & restaurants.
My grandma insisted on taking care of people, even after the restaurants were closed. She would sometimes get upset if we didn't call ahead before coming to Jackson, just so she could prepare and cook for us.
Her hospitality was unmeasured.
Family:
She was so fiercely dedicated to her family. Starting with her husband Joe, Eloisa became a laser accurate historian with the ability to remember and relay birth dates, cities, and full names of not just her immediate family & her extended family but also her husband's family members and their lineage.
She had been helping me build our family tree and ancestry for the past 10+ years. I've traced our history back to the 1800's in San Antonio, Texas.
Grace:
It is no secret that my grandmother put everyone before her self. She did not have a selfish bone in her body. Some of my earliest memories, being five or six years old - vividly I remember my grandmother coming and finding my sister Sarah and I no matter where my mom had moved to in Southwest Detroit, she would bring us tights and cachones and she would try them on us to make sure they fit. She would hold us and hug and kiss us and tell us how much she loved us both and missed us dearly.
Faith:
Her faith in God was stronger than anyone I have ever known. Their family business Taco Mart was located just next-door to the church she raised her kids in, First Latin American Baptist Church (corner of Dragoon & Fort St), even her parents attended before their passing. The church family has been our family ever since. We are all so grateful for all of the lasting relationships that came from this community including the Gutierrez & Garcia families.
Eloisa would always say "Lord Willing" as a response to things, and I used to laugh and say "of course I will see you tomorrow Gramma!". Now I really understand what she meant, that it was never guaranteed to us, that only God knew what would be, and that's where her faith lie.
Pride:
She taught us that your work is a direct representation of you and your character. Her work ethic is unparalleled and we all carry this on from her, in our own lives. If you know a Ramirez then you know how meticulous we can be and that is putting it gently!
I call it A+ type.
Thank you for that grandma.
Love:
We always clamored over who was grandma's favorite grandchild. Grandma always refused to choose. I'm stating it for the record...her favorite grandchild was...each and every one of us.
May we remember her as often as possible, and pass those memories and teachings to our kin and live our lives to the fullest in her spirit. We must take care of ourselves, each other and be there for grampa Joe as well. Just as grandma Eloisa always did.
Rest now, sweet grandmother.
Besitos besitos y besitos!
Love always, your grandkids.
