Angela Marie (Baranko) Ramirez
PHOENIX – Angie would proudly tell you she was born July 20, 1969, which is the same day that men landed on the moon. She passed away forty-nine and a half years later, on January 15, 2019, due to a GIST cancer. She was enveloped in the love that her family and friends showed her in innumerable ways over many years, but especially in her last few months.
Angie was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital, raised in Phoenix, attended St Simon and Jude grade school, Bourgade High School and graduated from Regis University in Denver with a degree in communications and journalism. After college, she returned to Phoenix to start her sales career, first as a Travel Agent then sales representative at Gruber Industries and then for Spoval. She married and moved to Flagstaff, returning to Phoenix a few years later, after her cancer diagnosis.
There was not a movie made that Angie did not enjoy. With her artistic eye, she saw beauty in the world at every turn. She was an encyclopedia of jokes, and she had a true gift for connecting with people through humor. She was a phenomenal cook, too. No one can match her spicy Bloody Mary, which she described as “the drink you can eat.” She had a big heart for all critters, especially felines. She was a proud volunteer at Anthem Pets, finding safe and loving homes for dozens of cats. In addition, she took great pleasure in her role as an airport Navigator.
Angie’s ability to connect with people was truly special. Her smile and welcoming personality made it easy for her to engage anyone in conversation and she had a phenomenal memory for retaining names of people she met. One of her favorite sayings was “I love you to the moon and back.”
Survived by her loving parents Dr. Paul and Dixie Baranko, her brother Dr. Brent and wife Dr. Anne Baranko of Salt Lake City, Utah, sister Tracy and husband Dr Brad Oldemeyer of Fort Collins, Colorado and her nephews (Kyle and Ben) and nieces (Erin, Abby, and Grace), whom she adored. She was married to Orlando Manuel Ramirez.
A special thank you to the many caregivers who provided Angie care, compassion, and friendship: Flagstaff Medical Center, Banner University Medical Center, (especially Dr Paul, Dr Perry, Dr Amabile), Nortera Walgreens Pharmacists, Hospice of the Valley, Home Instead, and Adriana’s Round the Clock Assisted Living.
A Funeral Mass will be held February 15, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 6180 W Utopia Road, Glendale, AZ 85308 with a reception and Celebration of Life to follow in the parish hall. Please wear lots of color. Her favorite was purple.
Hansen’s Desert Hills Mortuary is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, Angie requested donations in her honor to Anthem Pets, P.O. Box 74272, Phoenix, AZ 85087 or Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Visit hansenmortuary.com for online condolences.