Norma Ramos Sanchez

Norma Ramos Sanchez entered eternal rest peacefully on Thursday, October 5, 2023 in Brownsville, Texas.  Born on September 9, 1939, she was the only child of Adan Ramos and Maria Benavides Ramos.  Norma attended Immaculate Conception Elementary School, where her fondness for Catholic education took root.  Later, during her time at Villa Maria High School, that fondness blossomed into a lifelong bond with the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, to whom she became a life-long friend and supporter.  One of her greatest contributions to her dear Sisters was to head the committee for the 2003 Sesquicentennial celebration commemorating the arrival of the Sisters in Brownsville, Texas.  

Norma felt the calling to be a wife and a mother early in her life, and at the young age of 19 she found her beloved Pirrin.  She and Emilio Sanchez married in Brownsville in 1959 and remained so for 62 years until his death in 2021.  During that time, they raised six children, all of whom received a Catholic education at Incarnate Word Academy, St. Mary’s Elementary School, and later at Villa Maria Academy and St. Joseph Academy.  Norma was an avid parent volunteer during this time, logging hundreds of volunteer hours, and ultimately serving as Chairperson for the St. Joe Style Show for three years, raising meaningful sums for the school while producing spectacular shows.

Her passion for civic service extended beyond supporting her children’s schools and the Sisters themselves.  Norma was an active member of the Brownsville Junior Service League for decades, spending countless Fridays volunteering at the Moody Clinic to help with the care and therapy of disabled children.  She was also a member of the Pan American Round Table, the Executive Board of the Costumes of the Americas Museum, Villa Maria/Incarnate Word Academy Alumni Association, and Incarnate Word Academy Advisory Council.  She also chaired the first Costume of the Americas Museum evening gala, which was a huge success.

She had a passion for travel, which became a staple of her and Emilio’s marriage.  They sought out new places and adventures, ultimately visiting 6 of the 7 continents in the world.  They took trips to places like China, Japan, Australia and Russia, and even went on an African safari. They traversed the United States too, with one of her fondest memories being a family trip to Alaska with their children and extended families.

She is survived by all six of her children – Norma S. Garza, Jorge Sanchez (Sonia Sanchez), Emilio A. Sanchez, Robert Sanchez, Tina Sanchez, and Ana S. Carrasco (Rafael Carrasco) – as well as 18 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Services for Norma are under the guidance of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home at 657 Springmart Blvd., Brownsville, Texas. (956) 350-8485. 

Visitation will take place on Sunday, October 15 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home from 5:00 to 7:00 pm with recitation of the Holy Rosary to follow at 7:00 pm. The Funeral Mass will take place on Monday, October 16 at 10:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. A private interment will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sisters of the Incarnate Word Retirement Fund, 5201 Lipes Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78413