Gavina Ramirez Sabala Obituary (1929 - 2023)

Gavina R. Sabala May 29, 1929 ~ August 1, 2023 It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Gavina R. Sabala, on August 1, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada where she had been residing for the past seven years. She was born in Brawley on May 29, 1929, the eldest of nine siblings born to Ygnacio and Leonor Ramirez. Gavina attended Miguel Hidalgo School and graduated from 8th grade then left school to help run the family store, La Luz. She was extremely proud of her three children who attended and graduated from UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, and Yale University. Gavina married Gudalupe M. Sabala at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church on April 22, 1950 and was happily married for 70 years until his passing in 2020. In her mid-80s she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia but her memory remained intact. She was alert and lucid and never forgot family or friends. She was an excellent seamstress and enjoyed reading. She loved to talk about her experiences growing up in Imperial Valley. Besides her parents, Gavina was preceded in death by her spouse, Guadalupe, son Lupe, Jr., and siblings Richard Ramirez, Ygnacio Ramirez, Clara Gonzales, Maria del Carmen Ramirez, sisters-in-law Florence, Lydia, and Lucy Ramirez, and brother-in-law Steve Gonzales. She is survived by her two daughters, Grace Inouye (Barry), Mary Belinda Hon (Ted), grandchildren Matthew Inouye, Keone (Eunice) Hon, and Kimo Hon, and brothers Eddie (Jenny), Salvador (Trini), and Jesse Ramirez of Brawley, and Peter of El Centro, and numerous nephews and nieces. Services for Gavina will be held on Friday, September 22, 2023 at St. Margaret Mary Church, 9:00 a.m. rosary, 10:00 a.m. mass, internment at Riverview Cemetery followed by a luncheon at Hidalgo Hall. Her husband, Guadalupe, was a World War II Army veteran and his ashes will also be interred at that time. The family thanks Avenir Memory Care Facility and Compassion Care Hospice for the loving care they provided Gavina during her stay.