Daphne "Señorita" Ramirez

Dearest Maria and family,

Senorita was such an enthusiastic teach which inspired me through Spanish classes and never have forgotten her through the years... She attended one of our class reunions about 10 years ago. Her spirit lives on through so many !!

God Bless you Senorita!!

Janice Polhemus Jessup
Virginia Beach, Va

Anyone who knows me, knows how much Señorita meant to me. She was not just my teacher, but a life-time role model. I continued Spanish for two years in college but never worked it into my career. It was the love and caring that Señorita expressed, the continuing interest in me long after I was her student, that had the greatest impact on my life.

She, Maria, and Mam accepted my husband, Bob, into the family as soon as they met him. Our son became her grandson. When we would visit...

Anyone who knows me, knows how much Señorita meant to me. She was not just my teacher, but a life-time role model. I continued Spanish for two years in college but never worked it into my career. It was the love and caring that Señorita expressed, the continuing interest in me long after I was her student, that had the greatest impact on my life.<br /><br />She, Maria, and Mamά accepted my husband, Bob, into the family as soon as they met him. Our son became her grandson. ...

I took Spanish from her three of my four years in high school. It was in the hour before her class in my sophomore year that we learned that President Kennedy had been shot; it was in her class that we learned that he had died. Like half the class, Senorita had tears streaming down her face.

She was a fine teacher, but more important than that she was one of the kindest persons I've known.
- Rob Natelson, Lakewood CO, Nyack High School Class of '66,

I was in Srta. Ramirez's first class. I fell in love with Spanish and, after graduating from college, went to Spain to teach in the Dep't. of Defense schools in Madrid for five years. Upon returning to the U.S. I did graduate work at the University of Arizona, received my PhD and taught Spanish literature at the college level until I retired. I visited Srta. when I was in Nyack visiting family. She was a wonderful teacher and influenced my life in a profound way.

Señorita, although dimunitive in size, was an immense influence in my life. It was through her passion for the Spanish language and Hispanic culture that I was drawn to the beauty, spirit and charm of native Spanish speaking people and their vibrant history and roots. Little did I know then that I would ultimately become a Spanish teacher myself. I taught for 32 years in public schools, the last 28 of those in The Bronxville School District. This is an example of the great gift one receives...

Senorita was a teacher to be remembered always. I will never forget the first day in her class in 1951 when she was telling students our names in Spanish. Edward of course is Eduardo. She told me I looked exactly like an Eduardo! She was delighted 12 years later that I joined the Peace Corps and was assigned to Ecuador where I spoke Spanish only for two full years and taught in Spanish myself. After my MED I too taught in elementary school for Nyack. When we attended the same Mass at...

Senorita was a stellar Spanish teacher, because she insisted on Spanish only in class. I can still manage in Spanish, and continue to enhance my ability, thanks to Señorita. I wish her peace...

-Aliza Greenblatt

Senorita Ramirez was an inspirational woman who loved teaching and her students. Three years in her classes was a great education. God bless you, senorita