Ramona Pi?on Barajas
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Born in Chihuahua, Mexico on May 4, 1937, Ramona Pi?on Barajas migrated to the U.S. in 1960 with her single mother Rita Medrano, and three younger sisters Nelly, Kika, and Alma via the Mexicali-Calexico border, eventually settling in Ventura County. It was in Oxnard's Seaboard lemon packinghouse that she met Frank Hernandez Barajas. They married in June of 1963.
Devoted to her two children, Ramona worked seasonally for the companies of Stokely frozen foods and La Chileria of Heublein Inc. It was in this food processing culture that she formed many life-long friendships. Throughout this time, she peddled women's clothing from the trunk of her 1969 Chevy Malibu during her lunch hours and after her swing shift. This entrepreneurial spirit led to her establishment of a business in women's clothes and home decorations, first out of her south Oxnard residence before opening her boutique, Everyday Wear, in 1977. The store became so successful that she and her husband purchased the C Street Coin Wash next door in 1983.
Ramona was the happiest when she entertained or visited family for the holidays. With love as the critical ingredient, she expressed her affection to guests in the preparation of delicious belt-loosening dinners, calorie-loaded Christmas tamales, and savory dark-red menudo to bring in each new year. And she often gifted to departing visitors jars of her tasty chile salsa.
As a clever businessperson and loving mother, Ramona served as a role model to many young women. Especially as she and her husband instilled in their children and other youth the importance of a good education.
Ramona is survived by her husband Frank, son Frank P. Barajas, daughter Monica Carrillo, six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, sisters, and brother.