Theresa M. Zuchowski "Terry" Ramirez

1931 - 2015

Theresa M. "Terry" Zuchowski Ramirez
Nov. 13, 1931 - Dec. 21, 2015
Resident of San Jose
Theresa Mary "Terry" Zuchowski Ramirez entered into eternal rest December 21, 2015. A first-generation Polish-American from Northampton, MA, she was born on November 13, 1931. She is survived by her daughter Rebeca Ramirez Thorvund (Don), stepson Daniel Ramirez (Debbie), stepdaughter Deborah Ramirez Doble (Richard), nephew and godson Jim Sniezko, grandson Gunnar Thorvund, and step grandchildren Marcus Ramirez, Jolene Waldman, Travis Doble, and Sky Doble. She joins her husband Amiladec Ramirez, parents Anthony and Mary Zuchowski, sisters Charlotte Morrison, Jo DuVal, Jean Sniezko, brothers Benjamin Zuchowski, Frank Zuchowski, grandson Julian Thorvund, and several beloved brothers- and sisters-in-law.
In her loving immediate family she is survived by her sister Stephanie Chaisson, sisters-in-law Florence Martinez and Aida Garcia, brothers-in-law Elias Ramirez and Frank Ramirez, compadres Remigio and Rosa Maria Delfin, 25 nieces and nephews, and 48 great-nieces and nephews.
Terry graduated from Cooley Dickinson School of Nursing in Northampton, MA and began her career in Rhode Island, where she spent two years. A truly gifted nurse, she moved to California in 1955 and worked at Children's Hospital in San Francisco. She then moved on to Marin General Hospital and rose to Director of Nursing. She took a sojourn from work when she moved to Mexico, San Jose, and later Peru due to her husband's career as a mechanical engineer in copper mining.
Upon returning to San Jose in 1983, she re-entered the medical field in a new role, as a reviewer for the fledgling Professional Review Organization, which morphed into PSRO, CMRI, and finally Lumetra. She rose steadily to the top, due to her unparalleled abilities, leadership, and professionalism. She retired as a Vice President at 75 years young, after a truly storied and glowing career.
Terry had a deep love of music, movies, cooking, knitting, gardening, theater, traveling, the San Jose Sharks, and most of all, her family. She loved celebrating birthdays, holidays, and just being able to get together. She drew people to her with her warm and generous heart, her openness, generosity, directness, and sense of humor. Terry had a magical ability with children, which made her a natural in pediatrics, where she spent 12 years. Children were instinctively drawn to her and she delighted in seeing the world through their eyes. She made a dazzling impression with her gorgeous smile, twinkling eyes, and kind words for all she met. Once you met her, she lived in your heart.
Terry was the epitome of dignity, elegance, and grace, and her influence on her loved ones cannot be overstated. She was the person people sought out for advice, as she always had words of wisdom, and whom they aspired to be like. She lived life on her own terms, and her mantra was "To thine own self be true".
Dearest darling wife, beloved mother, adored grandmother, cherished sister, precious aunt, treasured mother-in-law, dearest godmother, inestimable friend, invaluable teacher, shining star, priceless jewel, heartlight. Terry was, and forever remains, all of these.
A private memorial will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at Los Gatos Memorial Park. Donations may be made to Julian Rock Memorial (julianrockmemorial.org) or the American Heart Association (heart.org).


View the online memorial for Theresa M. "Terry"  Zuchowski Ramirez