elevated MV9zS September 26, 1938 – December 19, 2020

elevated MV9zS It is with much sorrow and great sadness that we announce the passing of Ana B. Ramirez on December 19, 2020. Beloved wife of the late Tulio Ramirez and mother to Henry (Gloria), Victoria (Nicholas), Fernando (Alexandra) and Carlos Ramirez (Hitomi) as well as grandmother to Martin, Jaime, Lina and Danny. Ana was born in Armenia, Colombia but grew up in the western metropolis of Cali, Colombia. With the tragic death of her parents in her teen years, Ana was charged with the care of her two siblings, Carlos and Maria Cristina. Ana took upon herself this heavy parental responsibility with the due love and care of any real mother. This experience made the lifelong relationship between her siblings and their respective families that much stronger and fostered a deep love of all family relationships with her children, relatives and friends. In Cali, Ana met and married Tulio E. Ramirez at the age of 20 and in 1965, they moved to Canada with their family.

elevated MV9zS Ana’s successful career spanning a variety of professions was emblematic of her vitality, energy and willingness to embark on new challenges. First, while raising four children in Hamilton, Ontario, Ana began a teaching career as a Spanish instructor at Mohawk College. She was praised by her students for her enthusiasm, dedication and empathy, traits that served her well throughout her life. In 1980, Tulio and Ana together established a project management consultancy firm in Toronto that focused on commercial real estate and infrastructure projects. This work allowed Ana to travel widely throughout Europe and Latin America giving her a cosmopolitan outlook on life.

elevated MV9zS It was not until later in her career that Ana turned to her true passions of politics, arts and culture. As an independent curator, she organized and co-curated numerous art exhibitions in Canada, Europe and Latin America including a well-received solo-curated exhibition in Toronto in 2018 entitled Crossing Borders. Most notably, she was the co-founding curator of the annual Art of the America’s exhibition held in Ottawa at City Hall every fall.

elevated MV9zS Ana also became deeply involved in provincial and federal politics for the Liberal Party. She participated in multiple electoral campaigns in ridings across the city of Toronto. As a member of the Willowdale Women’s Liberal Club (WWLC), she was known as a force to behold – her strong views and warm nature were ever present at almost every WWLC event.

elevated MV9zS Ana was an enthusiastic builder and organizer within the Latin American community in Toronto. She was an active member of the Casa Cultural Colombiana and an organizer of the Latin American Festival of Images and Words. She felt a duty to give back to her community because of the good fortune she believed she had received in her life. As such, she was a constant presence at charity events at her parish Blessed Trinity Church, her local parish, and at the Theresians of Toronto.

elevated MV9zS Unfortunately, the last year of her life was met with serious health challenges but these did not diminish her positive outlook on life. More importantly, for her family and friends, she will be remembered as a supportive, loving and caring person always full of optimism.

elevated MV9zS                     “By bravely enduring our trials, we learn humility, compassion and a great reliance on God.”

A funeral mass took place on December 30, 2020 followed by her internment. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to COVENANT HOUSE TORONTO, CHALICE.CA, and THE THERESIANS at BLESSED TRINITY CHURCH, North York, ON. 

elevated MV9zS                               The family wishes to express thanks for all the love and support during this most difficult time. 

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