January 31, 1938- December 16, 2022
Marta Rosa Ramirez Reyes, “Martita” as we called her was born in Salama, Baja Verapaz Guatemala, Central America to Juan Ramirez and Rosa Zoila de Ramirez. She is the second one of six daughters and two sons.
She study in Guatemala City and work as a nurse and volunteering work at a Medical Clinic, when she first heard about Phoenix and St. Joseph’s Hospital, one of the Franciscan Fathers told her about and he said, he will send a letter to help her find a job.
In a short time, she received a letter offering her a job at St Joseph Hospital, and she embarked to Phoenix in August 1963, and started working at the Hospital.
She started at Nursery department and worked at ICU, and also worked taking pictures and prints of the New born babies. She love her work and specially working with babies. She retired after working for 45 years at St. Joseph Hospital. Martita started a new step of her life and was interested in cooking, specially baking, meeting with friends, she did some traveling to Guatemala and other places, or receiving family visiting her.
Martita was preceded in death by her Parents Juan and Rosa, two little sisters Maria Antonia baby and Maria Teresa one year old, nephews and nieces.
She is survived for her brothers Hector and Juan Francisco and sisters Estela, Floridalma and Gloria, and many nephews, nieces and cousins.
Memorial Services will held on January ,2023 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 East Indian School Road, Phoenix AZ with a Visitation from 5:00 pm to 7:00pm and a Rosary and Scriptures Services at 7:00pm.
Martita was a lifelong devout Catholic. A visitation will be held on Friday, January 13, 2023 from 4-7pm with rosary prayers recited at 6pm at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. Funeral Mass will celebrated on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 10:00 am at St. Thomas Apostle Church, 2312 East Campbell Ave Phoenix, AZ 85016, with a burial to follow at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please donate at Suncrest Hospice 4650 East Cotton Center Blvd Unit 250 Phoenix 85040 and at Biltmore Care Home 3532 East Camelback Rd Phoenix, AZ 85018
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Nancy Houck
I met Martha when I worked at St Joseph’s Hospital in 1977. I loved her immediately. I never met another person that didn’t love her. Her smile and laugh was very heartwarming. Martha would always give the best shoulder rubs. She was a wonderful person. My prayers are with her family and friends
Lyn Carrell
Martha was a warm loving special lady whom I met at St Joseph’s hospital and worked with her for over 30 years. I have many wonderful memories of her and the love and care she always extended to people and family around her. I know God has wrapped his arms around her and I am so grateful she was part of my life.
Joan Newby
Our Martha Rosa! What a beautiful soul! For those of us who worked with Martha in the nurseries at St. Joseph’s Hospital in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, we truly felt like she was “our” Martha Rosa! She loved us and we loved her right back. Her smile greeted us each morning as we entered the unit starting the day with love for life. She leaves us her legacy of love and kindness. Prayers for you, your family, and friends. Rest in peace, my friend. Go with God.
Flory, Cynthia, and Lourdes
Our beloved Tita,
We are so grateful for your life and for the opportunity to have lived beside you. You were always a light in our lives and you made your mark in the world and our family. We will always cherish the moments spent together and the strength with which you loved us. You were an example for all of us and you were the best sister, godmother, and aunt that anyone could ask for. We promise to continue your legacy, loving as fervently as you did and caring for others with the same kindness and grace you showed us. We are privileged to have known you and even more privileged to have cared for you for as long as we were allowed to. We know you are aware of how much we loved you, despite the distance and the circumstances that forced us apart without either of our consent. It gives us peace to know you are now reunited with your beloved mother and dear Kay Queen, who have welcomed you into Heaven with open arms. Thank you for the life lessons, but most importantly thank you for your love. You will forever live in our hearts.
Faithfully yours,
Flory, Cynthia, and Lourdes