Soledad Ramirez Morelos
On February 15, 2020 the Angels came and called our beautiful Soledad Ramirez Morelos and took her by the hand. She leaves behind her loving husband Dennis Morelos, her two brothers Juan Manuel Ramirez, and Tony Ramirez, her three sisters Trina Nevarez, Chuy Herrera, and Monica Falcon, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jesus and Oliva Ramirez, and her sister Teresa Guevara.
Solie (or Chole) as she was affectionately known, was born in Pueblo Nuevo, Guanajuato, Mexico and came to Santa Barbara in 1955 with her family when she was seven months old. The youngest of seven children, she grew up with a strong work ethic, unwavering faith and an unshakable sense of loyalty to family and friends.
She remained a lifelong Santa Barbara resident and was a proud “Once a Don, always a Don” graduate of the Santa Barbara High School Class of 1973. She attended Santa Barbara City College where she put herself through nursing school, while simultaneously working full time and taking care of her mother. After graduating from Santa Barbara City College she worked as a nurse at St. Francis Hospital of Santa Barbara and other medical facilities in the Santa Barbara area where she lovingly cared for patients for over 35 years. After ending her career in nursing, she applied her organizing energy to charitable activities with Town & Country Women’s Club, the Braille Institute, The Liberty Program, The Food Bank, Casa Esperanza, Santa Barbara High School Alumni Association, Ridley-Tree Cancer Center and various Church groups.
While Solie was known for her extraordinary ability to embrace and juggle charitable efforts, church activities, and family obligations; she also enjoyed a good party and loved hosting. Additionally, she loved walking, shopping, cooking, baking and was always up for any challenge in the kitchen. She could master anything and everything.
Solie’s generous spirit and infectious laugh touched the lives of many family members, friends and co workers. Though she had no children of her own, her nurturing nature made her something of a traffic cop, the favorite cool Aunt, party planner extraordinaire, confidante to young and old, cheerleader, and constant source of warmth and kindness to her extended family. She was selfless and generous and always placing others needs above her own, without ever asking for anything in return. Always willing to lend an ear, or a shoulder to cry on, providing sympathetic opinions were her special gift.
Solie first met Dennis Morelos when she was eighteen years old and he had just finished a four-year tour of duty with the US Navy during the height of the Vietnam War. On that day, she told a friend who was there “I’m going to marry Dennis someday” – and she did, 29 years later, true to her word as always.
In 2001, Solie married the love of her life, Dennis, and their wedding celebration was lovingly and joyously attended by 500 guests! It proved to be a merger of families as much as a marriage, as Dennis added his thirteen brothers and sisters and Solie added her five brothers and sisters and both added extended family members to the union.
In their retirement, Solie and Dennis loved to travel – and travel they did. From California to Dollywood, New York to Graceland, and numerous trips throughout the United States and the World. Unforgettable vacations included Europe, Mexico, Canada, Alaska, and cruises to the Panama Canal and the Mediterranean. She had an insatiable sense of curiosity and always up for a new adventure.
Our dear sweet Solie, we will miss your presence and while it leaves a hole in our hearts that will never be filled, we will always sense your spirit, hear your voice in the wind, and feel your loving touch like the sun. This isn’t good-bye, rather it’s until we meet again. May God rest your beautiful soul. We will love you and miss you every day of our lives.
Service to be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, rosery at 7;00 pm on April 25, funeral mass at 10:00 am on April 26, in lieu of flowers please give to Santa Barbara High School Alumni Association or Ridley Tree Cancer Center.