Lydia Elena (Ramirez) Camacho passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at home in Apache Junction on her 84th birthday, Friday, December 23, 2022.
Lydia was born at the family homestead on a cold December night in Sanchez, Arizona, north of the Gila River from Safford and Solomon. She was delivered by her grandmother, Reyes Sanchez, weighing only 3 pounds. She was put in a shoebox filled with cotton from the fields and placed near the family’s quartz fireplace to help keep her warm. Lydia survived that night as one of her aunts watched over her until the sun came up. Her son Chuck gave her the nickname “Tough Cookie” because she was the strongest woman who faced every challenge in her life with courage and dignity.
Lydia was a kind, caring and giving person who never met a stranger. She always put the needs of her family before her own. She loved spending time with her brothers and sisters, but her most cherished moments were with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. They were her most precious little jems, and she loved cooking delicious meals for her family. She was a source of inspiration to us all and she will be deeply missed by everyone whose lives she touched.
In 1981, Lydia met her husband, Benny Camacho in Riverside, California. They became the most loving couple with many things in common. They were very content living in the country among the orange groves. Their travels took them all over the world, exploring cultures and traditions from abroad; their favorite place being Barcelona, Spain.
Lydia was proud to be a graduate of the Safford High School class of 1957. She loved school and participated as GAA President as well as Girls League President. She remained active in sports (softball, basketball, bowling, and tennis). Lydia always looked forward to getting together with her class at the high school reunions.
Lydia never quit learning and educating herself. She continued on to Riverside City College in Riverside, California where she studied medical office procedures, medical terminology and office occupation where she became proficient in typewriting, word processing, shorthand, bookkeeping, and office management.
She spent most of her career at Pinal General Hospital in Florence, Arizona, front office receptionist at Mira Loma Space Center in Mira Loma, California, and medical receptionist at Dixon Medical Corp. in Corona, California.
Lydia is preceded in death by: her son, Charles J. Vasquez; loving parents, Claro and Estella (Sanchez) Ramirez of Safford, AZ; sister, Erma Hernandez of San Manuel, AZ; sister, Olivia Marshall of Las Vegas, NV; brother, Bernie Ramirez of Dripping Springs, AZ; and brother Claro Ramirez Jr. of Kingsburg, CA.
Lydia is survived by: her husband of 41 years, Benny Camacho; siblings, Josie Franco, Daniel Ramirez (Helen); her children, Elizabeth Johnson (Terry), Rafaela Vasquez (daughter in-law), Anna Herrera, and Rebecca Camacho; her grandchildren, Jaclyn Kutchinsky (Monica), Steven Johnson (Alfe), Shannon Almeida (Martin), Jillian Barrett (Ricky), and Charles Vasquez; her great grandchildren, Manny, Alex, Brooklyn, Michael, Prince, Riley, Rafaela, Harlow, Maddox, and Chase.
Mother, you will always be in our hearts, and we will never forget you. You taught us well and you loved us endlessly. Thank you for giving us life.
Funeral Services for Lydia will be conducted Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Vining Funeral Home’s “Chapel of the Valley”. Concluding services will be held in the Sanchez Cemetery.
Family will receive friends Wednesday, January 4, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. also at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be offered at www.viningfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are entrusted to Vining Funeral Home.
