Irene Rameriz Ricarte

Irene Rameriz Ricarte

March 8, 1937 - June 6, 2026

Irene Rameriz Ricarte was born March 8th, 1937, in Bakersfield, California. She was the second child out of eight. Growing up, she and her family were seasonal migrate field workers, traveling from town to town. Irene stayed very close to her siblings. Even after everyone was married and had their own families, they continued to vacation together every summer.

In 1960, Irene married her husband of 50 years, Jose P Ricarte. Shortly after getting married, they moved to Mesa, Arizona, where she would remain for the next six decades. The couple had three children, Rose R Todd, Joseph P Ricarte Jr., and Arthur P Ricarte (2/1/1965- 1/2025).

Irene taught her kids about unconditional love, compassion, and kindness; not just by her words, but by her actions. She was a proud supporter of LGBTQ rights. Irene attended many gay pride events in support of her son and her many LGBTQ friends and family members.

She taught her children that everyone deserves to be loved. Everyone is worth knowing. Everyone is worthy of God's love and compassion.

In 1968, Irene started working at Matta's Mexican restaurant. She worked there until the restaurant closed in 2006. Irene loved her job and loved the people she worked with. Her work family meant the world to her; they were very close. After the restaurant closed, she missed them deeply.

Thanks to Mary Lou Matta, Irene's job afforded her to give her family a good life. She kept food on the table and clothes on their backs. She was able to take her kids on vacation every year. She helped her son go to college. She was able to help each of her kids purchase a house. She always looked out for her family.

The forty plus years she worked at Matta's, she met hundreds of people. She had regular customers she knew for decades. She even watched their children grow up and have children of their own. She really enjoyed socializing with them when they came in for a meal. Irene was very outgoing and friendly. She talked to everyone. 15 years after the restaurant closed, people would still recognize her and come up to her on the street to say hi.

Irene Rameriz Ricarte died on the morning of June 6th, 2026, surrounded by her two surviving children. Irene went to heaven to reunite with her family, husband Jose P Ricarte, son Arthur Ricarte, sisters Yolanda Espinoza Sugart, Mary Ellen Neira, Sandra Ramirez Camacho, brother Valentino Rameriz and her mother and father. Irene will be sorely missed. Her memory will be cherished for all eternity. Life in this world will never be the same without her.

Irene is survived by her daughter Rose R Todd, son Joseph P Ricarte, grandson David M Todd and her many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on July 2, 2026 from 10:00 am to 11:00am with the funeral service starting at 11:00am located at Meldrum Mortuary, 52 N Macdonald, Mesa, AZ 85201.

Graveside service will be at Mesa City Cemetery, 1212 N. Center St, Mesa, AZ 85201 immediately following services at 12:30pm.

Please join us for a Celebration of Life with family and friends immediately following services from 1:00pm-5:00pm located at 126 W Hillside St Mesa, AZ 85201.

Pallbearers: Kevin Fletcher, Sr, Kevin Fletcher Jr, Xavier Pinales, Richard Edward Beardsley, Brett Juris, Sal Ashek, David Todd, Frankie Quintana