Carmen Ramírez Hodgers (aka: Mela, Sis, Tia, Nina, Mom, Nana, Granna) was the third of eight children of Enrique and Matilde Ramírez and was born in Nogales, Arizona on January 17, 1920. She was educated in the Nogales school system and received her high school diploma in 1939. The following year she married Hector M. Hodgers from Nogales, Sonora, Mexico where they resided until 1942, and where she delivered her two children: John Hodgers and Sylvia Hodgers. In spite of WWII and the risk that Hector would be drafted into the military the family moved to Nogales, Arizona. After a short time, the family moved to South Tucson. In January of 1946 they moved to the San Xavier Mine and lived there until 1952. She was deeply concerned about the little country school in Twin Buttes, Arizona where John attended, and decided to send him, and later Sylvia, to Nogales to live with her mother so they could have a better education. This was a very unselfish and painful decision, but she knew how important a good education was. With difficulty she made many trips every week to see them, and help her mother in the care of her two children. It became very apparent how important a good education meant to her, and as a result of her sacrifice, John's schooling ultimately resulted in receiving his medical degree. Sylvia completed a beautician school degree.

During the WWII years, she was the point person at home for her four brothers in the Military since her mother did not speak or read English. Her older brother, Humberto, and younger brother Alex, were War casualties and Carmen dealt with all the sad communications. In addition, another younger brother, Walter, was missing in action for a time and later became a prisoner of war which meant more communications for her to deal with. A younger brother, Ramiro, saw action in the Korean War and again she was called to help her mother.

She worked without pay at St. John's elementary school for seven years followed by working for the Tucson Unified School District as an assistant to the school registrar at Utterback Middle School. She received many accolades from the school administration for excellence in her work. Carmen loved to travel, which she did with anyone that would go with her. Besides travelling with her family, she made it a point to travel with catholic church tours to visit the Holy Land and anywhere the Virgin Mary made an appearance. Her traveling ceased when she was needed to take care of her much-loved husband, Hector, who suffered from senile dementia.

After retirement and until the age of 100, she drove her car. She would swim 20 laps three times a week at the gym pool, attend regular church services, and weekly help the church volunteers prepare food for the needy. She also never failed to fly to see her newly born greatgrandchildren, wherever they were!

Carmen was fortunate to have a wonderful caring daughter Sylvia and her son-in-law Albert, who tended to her every need for the last five years of her life.

Carmen was preceded in death by her husband Hector. She is survived by son John & wife Jan, and daughter Sylvia and husband Albert Romero. Grandchildren: Richard Romero, Kathy & Joe Stepanski, Stephanie Romero; Kristy Aho, Misty & Roddy Cooke, and Lisa & Aaron Bayne. Great-grandchildren: Brianna Romero; Branden, Cody, Kaylee, & Christopher Stepanski; Jonathan & Casey Green & Elena Cooke; Megan, James, & Jason Aho; and Porter & Ellis Bayne. Great-great-grandchildren: Lilah, Jade, Blake, Blair, Finn and Azalea. She is also survived by her 100-year-old brother Walter Ram.

She will be missed tremendously and her love and memory will live forever in our hearts.