Memorial services for Elena M. Ramirez, 55, of Lompoc will be held at the North side of Morro Bay Rock where she requested her ashes to be scattered in the Pacific Ocean.

Elena was born March 23, 1954 on Fort Dix Military Base in New Jersey to Joseph M. and Joan M. Ramirez. She was raised in West Trenton, New Jersey and graduated from Heightstown High School in 1972. Elena also earned an associates degree from Bucks County Community College in New Jersey. She worked as a cashier for various food stores as well as an office manager for a large insurance company and motel manager for Hibiscus located in Key West, Florida. After moving to California, she was the office clerk and cashier at the family owned carwash centers in both San Luis Obispo and Lompoc. Elena loved classical music and played the piano and acoustic guitar. Her favorite pastimes included watching old time movies and enjoying the beauty of Mother Nature while walking her dogs Carly and Lexi. Elena made Lompoc her home in 1997 after moving from Morro Bay and belonged to La Purisima Catholic Church.

Surrounded by her family, she died unexpectedly on Monday, May 11, 2009 at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara only five days after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

Survivors include her significant other and longtime boy friend of 28 years, Don Huff of Lompoc; brother, Rick Ramirez, Sr. of Lompoc; and nephew, Rick Ramirez, Jr. She was
preceded in death by her parents and beloved dog, Carly.

Contributions may be made in her name to the Lompoc Barkin Park Dog Park. Checks may be made payable to the Lompoc Valley Parks, Recreation & Pool Foundation, Attention: Barkin Park, P.O. Box 2114, Lompoc, CA 93438. Please write "Barkin Park" in the memo field of your check.