Cleo Ann Ramirez

Cleo Ann Ramirez, age 60, lifelong resident of Mercedes, Texas, passed away peacefully on December 2, 2025. Born on March 3, 1965, in Brownsville, Texas, Cleo was the second child of the late Leo Ramirez Jr and the late Gloria McVey Ramirez. She shared her life with her devoted life partner, Albert Cano Jr, with whom she built a home filled with music, laughter, and love. Cleo grew up in the Mid Valley and graduated from Mercedes High School in 1983. During her time there, she was a proud member of the Mercedes Marching Band, which placed fourth in the State of Texas under the direction of Rene Guzman; this was an achievement she carried with pride throughout her life. A true lover of rock music, Cleo found joy in listening to her favorite bands and attending concerts. She especially loved the drums and was a drummer herself, keeping time not only in music but also in the rhythm of family gatherings and celebrations. Over the years, Cleo worked in a variety of roles that reflected her strong work ethic and commitment to serving her community. She was employed at Salinas Super Market, Valley Mart, the Hidalgo County Clerk’s Office, Progreso ISD and Mercedes ISD as a paraprofessional, and Magic Valley Co-Op. In every workplace, she was known for her reliability, kindness, and willingness to help others. Cleo fought many illnesses over the course of her life, yet she met every challenge with courage and grace. She lost her eyesight years ago, but she never stopped truly seeing people. She could not see with her eyes, yet she saw with her heart. She noticed every change in a voice, every pause, every forced laugh. She paid attention to moods, to silences, and to the ways loved ones tried to hide their worries from her. On top of this, she battled dialysis treatments for well over a decade, appointment after appointment, hour after hour in that chair with the machines humming around her. Many people might have given up or grown bitter; Cleo did not. She kept living, she kept loving, she kept laughing. Her circumstances were loud, yet she refused to let them define her. She was not just a patient, and she was not just someone who was blind. She was Cleo, our Cleo. Through all of this, she was surrounded by steadfast love. Albert faithfully took her to dialysis in the wee hours of the morning and cared for her with quiet dedication; that was true love. Her sister Carla Jean took turns waiting with Cleo, making sure she was never alone and always felt supported. Her sister Cecilia, after retiring from a long career in education, devoted her time to helping Cleo get around and maintain as much independence as possible. Her brother Cesar was constantly checking on her, calling, visiting, and making sure she had what she needed. Together, they formed a circle of care and tenderness around her. Cleo also held a special place in the Cano family. She was deeply loved by her in laws, Mr. and Mrs. Cano, who cherished her as a daughter and welcomed her fully into their lives. Every single morning, without fail, Cleo would call Grandma Cano to check on her and to say hello. There was not a day that went by without Cleo calling Grandma Cano, a simple daily act that spoke volumes about her loyalty, her love, and her sense of family. Cleo adored her cat, Catarina Grace Cano Ramirez, who was her constant companion and brought her comfort and joy. She also cherished her close friendships, especially with her “Partner in crime,” Esmeralda Guerrero, with whom she shared many memories, conversations, and moments of laughter. Esmeralda loved taking Cleo to late night meals where they spent much time talking and breaking bread. Esmeralda loved and cared for Cleo and they built an unbreakable bond. Cleo Ramírez also cherished her brother-in-law, Mario Cano, and her sister-in-law, Liza Garcia, with all her heart. Their bond was one of constant love and support, and there was nothing they would not do for one another. Mario and Liza were Cleo’s trusted sounding board, and she held them in the highest respect. Cleo also adored her only godson, Aiden Reyes: every holiday and every birthday spent with him brought her immense joy, and Aiden was truly the center of her world. Family was at the center of Cleo’s world. She is survived by her life partner, Albert Cano Jr; her siblings, Cecilia Ann Ramirez and her husband, Jose De Jesus Garcia, Carla Jean Ramirez and her husband, Raul Garcia, Jr., and Cesar Ramirez and his wife, Elida Ramirez. She was a loving aunt to her nieces and nephews: Clarissa R Garcia, Catherine R Garcia, Caroline R Garcia, and Raul C. Garcia, children of Carla and Raul; and Emma Ramirez and Mateo Ramirez, children of Cesar and Elida. Cleo was also blessed to be a great aunt to Elias Daniel Ramirez and Mai Isabel Ramirez, beloved children of Catherine R Garcia. Cleo is further survived by her Aunt Cathy and Paul Chamberlain, her Uncle Jose McVey Jr, her Uncle Florencio McVey, and numerous cousins who will miss her deeply. Those who knew Cleo will remember her for her fierce love of family, her deep appreciation for music, her sense of humor, and her generous heart. Her legacy lives on in the lives of those she touched, in every shared story, every song that reminds them of her, and every act of kindness done in her memory. Funeral services are under the direction and care of Rudy Garza Funeral Home of Mercedes, Texas.

Cleo Ann Ramirez

March 3, 1965 - December 2, 2025

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