Obituaries

Leonor Amaya; Nena, Aunt Leo, "The Little Lady at the Drug Store".

She passed away at Washington Hospital in Fremont, California on November 1, 2014. She was 81 years old.

She was born at home in Bishop, Texas on February 6, 1933. She was the first child of Lucinda and Lionel Ramirez.

She grew up in Bishop, TX where she graduated high school. Her family owned several businesses including small markets and butcher shops. One of her most treasured memories was with her grandfather, Eliseo Ramirez, paying the town's peoples "poll tax" enabling them to vote to improve their quality of life. She always reminded others of the importance of participating in their "right to vote" because it was not free in the past.

She met her husband Jess Amaya on September 23, 1958 while he was stationed in Kingsville, Texas in the U.S. Navy. They were married just 2 months later. They were blessed with 3 children and settled close to her in-laws in the Decoto District of Union City, CA.

She retired at the age of 77 after working for 43 years as a pharmacy technician. Forty of those years were in Fremont, CA. She started with Crown Drug, then the Medicine Shoppe, and finally retired from Lucky's Pharmacy on Mowry Ave. Her caring personality touched her customers of all ages, especially the children. She received many cards and gifts from so many of them. She read the obituaries daily and often cried for the families of former customers who had passed away.

She lived a very simple and honest life. She always demonstrated true unconditional love for her family. She adored Tex-Mex Conjunto Music and loved to dance. She loved socializing with people. One hobby was going to second hand stores where again she made so many friends of the staff there. She cherished and loved the sight of a hummingbird and reminded us always to think of her when we see one.

She was a devout Catholic and member of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Union City, CA. She was a former President of the Women's Auxiliary of Union City National Little League Baseball (circa early 1970's). She served on the La Causa Nueva Scholarship Fundraising Committee.

One of the most painful days in her life was when, against her pleas, The City of Union City awarded the "Officer of the Year Award" to the individual that was later found 92% liable for her only daughter's wrongful death.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Lucilla "Chila" Amaya, her parents Lionel and Lucinda Ramirez, and her in-laws Alberto and Flora Amaya.

She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years Jessie Amaya; her children: Lionel "Lonny" Alberto Amaya (Carmen Saldivar), and Jessie "JJ" Joel Amaya; her grandchildren: Yvette Rubio (Victor Rubio), and Robert Mullins, Jr.; and her great grandchildren: Victor Rubio, Jr., Jessie Juan Rubio, Sophia Rubio, and Jacob Rubio. She is also survived by her siblings: Lucilla Salazar (Elias), Lydia Morales, Jacquelyn Gonzalez, and Hector Ramirez (Carol), and many cousins, nephews, and nieces.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 11, from 5-8pm with a Vigil at 7pm at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 703 C St., Union City, CA 94587. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 12, 10am at the church.