Obituary of Tammy Marie Ramirez

Tammy Marie (Manzo) Ramirez passed away surrounded by family and friends after a valiant 8 month battle with Lung Cancer on Sunday morning, November 4, 2018. She was 52 years old. Tammy was born in Revere. She spent her first 9 years living in East Boston. Then, her family moved to Revere. Tammy graduated from Revere High School in 1984. She moved to Burlington 24 years ago where she raised her son and daughter. Tammy was an active member of the Burlington community and has developed an incredible circle of friends within the community. She had worked the last 6 years as a sales/marketing representative for JB Sash in Doors in Chelsea, MA.  

Tammy was like a vibrant shooting star, streaking through the lives of all her family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors. Like a star crossing the sky, one could not help but notice the brilliance and attraction of Tammy Ramirez, she lit up every room in a special way. She was one of those special people you meet that radiated warmth, fun, love, and a passion to embrace every day. And like that star, you were excited to see her. She was that someone special that was to be noticed and to be remembered. She was loving and was simply loved by people. She was a dancer and gymnast as a teenager. She would go onto to share those passions with children as an instructor and teacher, and later with her daughter. She always had Neil Diamond and country music playing in her home and would dance and sing as she cooked and entertained, things she loved doing. Her home was her happy place. She loved decorating, adding her personal touches and accessories. She would have made a fantastic interior designer, she took a 1960’s ranch and transformed it into something out of a magazine. She was a phenomenal cook and loved entertaining. When she entertained, she planned for every detail from a delicious menu, the perfect specialty cocktail, and a fun atmosphere. Her children loved her “Sunday Gravy”, meatballs, specialty pasta dishes and banana bread. She loved hosting the “Pasta Dinners” for her children’s sports teams. She loved classic movies and had a soft spot for the sentimental “Hallmark Movies”.  Tammy loved the ocean and the beach. Sitting on the beach with her toes in the sand, watching the ocean waves, and sipping a frozen drink was the perfect day. Family vacations included destinations like Florida, Mexico, The Bahamas, all over the Caribbean, and a few cruises. She wanted fun and adventurous vacations.

It was amazing how many family members and friends walked alongside Tammy during her illness. Tammy’s sister, Toni Ann, was by her side every minute of every day. Friends and family of Tammy cooked meals, helped with finances, provided companionship, and her healthcare. Everyone in the community wanted help, strangers would show up with dinners and generously donated to Tammy’s GoFundMe page. Up until her last breath, her circle of friends and family were there for her. It gave Tammy and her children great comfort to have all these angels with them every step of her fight. They will forever be thankful for all the love and kindness that have been showered upon them.

Tammy was the loving mother of Robbie and Cassie Ramirez of Burlington. She was the devoted daughter of Mary (O’Hara) McKinlay of Palm Harbor, FL, formerly of Revere & East Boston and the late Walter Penachio. She was the caring sister of Toni Ann Moreira & her husband Manny of Billerica and Walter J. Penachio & his wife Chiyeen of Palm Harbor, FL. She was the special aunt to Manny Moreira, Jr. Logan and Chloe Penachio. Tammy is also survived by many wonderful, supportive, caring and loving friends.  

A visitation will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Thursday, Nov. 8 from 4-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington on Friday, Nov. 9 at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited.  The interment will be private.  In lieu of flowers, memorials in Tammy’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701 or www.cancer.org. For directions obituary & online guestbook see www.stmargaretburlington.org or www.sullivanfuneralhome.net