Ramona Kirschenman

Sunderland, MA - Ramona Kirschenman was born in Mount Shasta, California, on October 5, 1970. Surrounded by her close family, she left us on July 13, 2025.

Ramona's early years were spent in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Boston, Massachusetts. She attended Emerson College before earning her Bachelor of Arts in Democracy and Cultural Pluralism from The New School in New York City.

In 2005, Ramona followed her heart and purpose to Guatemala, where she met her future husband and father of their son Jake, who was born in 2008. There, she was instrumental in creating Oxlajuj B'atz, a social enterprise serving cooperative groups of Maya women in rural Guatemala, which she led for seven transformative years. Her life's work was grounded in empowerment, equity, and the celebration of Indigenous artistry.

Returning to Massachusetts, Ramona continued her mission in public service and community development. She held leadership roles at MassHire Career Center in Holyoke and at Home City Development, Inc. in Springfield. In 2014, she helped found Asociación Multicolores, a ground-breaking organization supporting Maya women's economic and artistic empowerment in Guatemala, later serving on its board.

Ramona is preceded in death by her cherished mother, Deborah Becker, and her brother, Gideon Kirschenman. She is survived by her husband, Carlos Sahón Raxtún; her beloved son, Jacob Sahón Kirschenman; her father, Reid Kirschenman and his wife Mila; her siblings, Ruslan and Karolina Kirschenman, and Gabriel Becker; her step-parents, Douglas Kline and Nancy Carlsson-Paige, and Christine Salem and Ken Sawyer; and her life-long dear friend, Eddie Haynes.

Ramona was a devoted mother, a loving daughter, a fierce advocate for equality, and a soul of uncommon compassion. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched, the communities she uplifted, and the family who will forever carry her spirit forward.

There will be a memorial and celebration of life on August 23, 2025, 2pm, at the Jupiter Club in Easthampton, Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to MayanHands.org and Multicolores.org in honor of Ramona's enduring commitment to empowerment and social good.

Wrisley Funeral Home

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Recorder on Aug. 9, 2025.

Memorial Events
for Ramona Kirschenman

Aug

23

Memorial service

2:00 p.m.

Jupiter Club

Easthampton, MA

Funeral services provided by:

Wrisley Funeral Home

90 Sugarloaf Street, South Deerfield, MA 01373

Memories and Condolences
for Ramona Kirschenman

4 Entries

Yanelys Rodriguez

Yesterday

Her legacy will always be with us. God really gained a beautiful soul up in heaven. Through her spirit her impact, love, and compassion will still continue to touch every soul she's ever brought into her life. Here's a memory of the SYEP 2024, where she always had something encouraging to say to all her youth.

Shawntsi Baret

Yesterday

May God be pleased with her sacrifice and my sincere thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to her family. Ramona was an amazing person who I was and am still a fan of. We had lots of laughs and connected on a personal and professional level. She will be missed, but God knows best.

Jennifer Martinez

August 13, 2025

Ramona was a beautiful person I met her through the board I am a resident at liberty hills townhouses an she was always helpful an positive

Sharon Smith

August 9, 2025

I am so sorry to read of Ramona's passing - your family has endured such tragic losses. I knew Deborah (the softball connection) and saw Ramona at Deb's service. My heart and prayers are with you all at this time.

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results

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