Cynthia Ramos' friends and family gathered to remember her at the Green Oaks Mobile Park Saturday night. Glenn Moore/Tracy Press
She religiously watched “All My Children” at noon and 5 p.m. every weekday.
The 58-year-old, called Cindy by friends and family, loved to paint her toenails and looked the picture of health after recently slimming down following weight-loss surgery.
“She was full of life, a friend to everybody,” said one of her daughters, Christina Barnes. “We will miss her so much.”
Ramos — who was found stabbed to death in her northern Tracy home last week — was a gregarious, straight-talking mother to six children and grandmother to 11. One of her granddaughters, 22-year-old Angela Maravilla, is nearly nine months pregnant with a great-grandson Ramos will never see.
“It kills me, because she was the most excited about this, and she’s the one who will never get to see him,” Maravilla said Sunday night to a gathering of about 100 friends, family members and well-wishers.
Family and friends of Ramos gathered at sundown Sunday for a second candlelight vigil in her memory. A third vigil is scheduled for 8 tonight outside her trailer home at Green Oaks Mobile Home Park.
Barnes said the vigils and the public show of support have helped the family cope with the loss. A memorial to Ramos stands outside her trailer, No. 44 in Green Oaks. Candles, notes and photos of the woman decorate a table on her front lawn.
“We have received such an outpouring of support,” Barnes said. “That comfort is what’s getting us through this.”
It’s torture for the family to think that the life of its beloved matriarch ended so brutally, she added.
The family “has been absolutely devastated by this grievous act...,” she continued, and “we are also haunted by the horror she must have felt in those last moments of her life.”
Police arrested two men Thursday, shortly after officers responded to a call from Ramos’ roommate, reporting that she had been found dead on the floor of her trailer. Robert Morgan, 39, and Jorge Morgan, 24, are held without bail at the San Joaquin County Jail in French Camp on suspicion of murder. The two are due in court Tuesday in Stockton.
Because there is still an active investigation, police refuse to release any more details surrounding last week’s killing, which, according to dispatch logs, might have resulted from a foiled robbery. To avoid compromising the integrity of the investigation, the family also refuses to discuss the case.
Ramos’ family is setting up a memorial fund, which should be ready this week. In the meantime, people can send checks addressed to “Christina Barnes in care of Cindy Ramos” at P.O. Box 293660, Sacramento 95829. When the account number is available, it will be posted on a Web site Ramos’ youngest daughter is creating in her mother’s memory. The site, www.inmemoryofcindyramos.com, will go live tonight, family said.
Once it’s up and running, the Web site will include photos of Ramos, letters, poems, thoughts from the family, condolences from well-wishers and news stories about the case.
At a glance
WHAT: Candlelight vigil for stabbing victim Cynthia “Cindy” Ramos
WHEN: 8 tonight
WHERE: Space No. 44 at Green Oaks Mobile Home Park, 2929 N. MacArthur Drive
• Contact Tracy Press reporter Jennifer Wadsworth at 830-4225 or jwadsworth@tracypress.com.
Much Love for my friend Angie Maravilla, because of her I got to meet you, a wonderful women, whom I even called grandma... She always let me in her home and you gave me comfort when I didn’t speak to my patents. I still remember the first day Angie introduced me to Cindy and Poopy her horse (its really a dog) inside joke.
Cindy thanks you for being a friend to me thank you for all the support and advice you gave to me. You were my only friend when I lived in Tracy... I enjoyed listening to oldies and watching Medea and that dam KAT Williams with you. Cindy thanks for the couple of times I had nowhere to go you let me stay with you and you even picked me up in the middle of no where. Do remember when I hated that poppy’s hair got all over me? Lol. You showed much me love, so with love I say, “Grandma I miss you”
P.S. Grandma remember the Barbeque at your house, Junior (cheyo) also misses you he says hello. He was also very hurt to hear what happened to you, He remembers you called us recently we spoke with you and now he doesn’t believe it.
Our deepest sympathies for your lose...may your grandmother find peace with God....Your friends The Souza Family