DAUGHTER RECALLS INDEPENDENT AND INSPIRING MOTHER

Brianna Romo remembers her mother, Blanca Ramirez, as a strong, independent and inspiring woman who bounced back after numerous health problems throughout much of her adult life.

But then came the pandemic. Ramirez’s health spiraled downward after contracting COVID-19 in July, and she died Sept. 7 at 55.

“She was a loving and caring person who had a great sense of humor,” Ramirez said. “I heard from nurses while she was in the hospital that she was always telling them jokes.”

Ramirez, an Imperial Beach resident, was born in Los Angeles and moved to San Ysidro as a teenager. At 18, she was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease lupus.

Romo said her father was out of the picture as she was growing up, and her mother raised her on her own. Her brother had died at birth, and Romo was an only child.

“She was very independent and strongwilled,” she said about her mother. “And she would help those in need, no matter.”

Romo said her mother was her coach and cheerleader when she began playing soccer at 4, a sport she still competes in at 28. Her mother also was a coach and cheerleader in other ways, teaching and encouraging her throughout life.

“Whenever I needed her, she was there,” she said.

Ramirez had a stroke in July, and Romo said she wasn’t too worried at first because her mother had been in and out of the hospital many times. But then she learned her mother had tested positive for COVID-19 a week after her trip to the emergency room.

“I was very shocked and anxious because of her autoimmune disease,” she said. “I kept praying for her every day to get better, but unfortunately things went downhill.”

Ramirez was put on a ventilator, but was taken off as her oxygen level improved. Romo said her mother still had trouble speaking and walking, so was checked into a skilled nursing facility. She then had a seizure and lapsed into a coma, and was rushed to an emergency room and admitted to a critical care unit.

“I was lucky I was able to see my mother in the hospital,” Roma said. “I know there’s a lot of family members who don’t get a chance to see their family at this stage.”

Her conditioned worsened. She was put on life support, and her doctors said she probably would not regain consciousness.

“My heart told me don’t give up on your mother, but my mind was saying she had been through so much pain, especially because of her lupus that she’s been fighting more than three decades,” Romo said. “I decided it was better for my mother to rest, especially since she would be resting with family members and also my little brother, who she truly missed.”

Romo said her mother got to see her graduate from Grossmont College this year, and she is studying criminal justice at San Diego State University.

“She told me how proud she was of me and never to give up,” she said.

Romo helped clear out Ramirez’s home after her death, and said it was heartbreaking to see her mother’s beloved dog, Sheba, looking for her in different rooms.

She tried to find Sheba another home, but eventually took her in herself after she behaved aggressively with others.

“Sheba felt at peace,” she said about taking her to her new home.