Elena Ramos Varela

Elena Ramos Varela, age 103, was called to her eternal resting place September 28, 2015. She was born in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico on June 9, 1912 to Francisco Ramos Velazco and Rita Varela Tarazon. She is survived by her two daughters; Sylvia Saleeby de Nerey and Carmen Consuelo Ramos; sister, Dolores Ramos de Villanes; grandchildren, Sylvia Elena Nerey, Margarita (Arnulfo) Elias, Armando (Alejandra) Nerey, Nilza (Jesus) Mendoza and Kristina (Daniel) Lee; and 15 great-grandchildren. In her early life, Elena worked as a telephone operator and director in Mexico and then began working in retail after moving to Nogales, Arizona. She was a devoted Catholic and spent countless hours in church groups and was involved in many church related activities. Elena dedicated her time to groups that focused their efforts with incarcerated individuals and provided handmade rosaries as well as spiritual and emotional support. She also volunteered at the Senior Citizen Center and was part of the Telecare program as a volunteer who contacted elderly individuals by phone who lived by themselves. In her past time, she enjoyed traveling, dancing and singing. Elena’s pride and joy was her family, especially her daughters and grandchildren. She loved them dearly and was a remarkable daughter, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Elena will be remembered as an extraordinary and phenomenal woman who always wanted to help others; she genuinely wanted the best for everybody. A visitation will be held Thursday, October 1, 2015 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Martinez Funeral Chapels. Services will continue at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with a Rosary at 2:00 p.m. followed by Mass at 2:30 p.m. Funeral Services entrusted to Martinez Funeral Chapels, 891 W. Mariposa Rd., Nogales, AZ.