Obituary of Ramona Moore Rombach

Ramona Moore Rombach was born in Boulder, Montana on September 22, 1925 to E. Clyde Smith and Janie Mathews Smith. She died at home after a brief illness in North Hills, CA, on July 24, 2015. Ramona grew up in Arizona and California, spending summers on her grandfather’s plantation in Georgia, with her brother and sister. She married Boude C. Moore in 1944. Together they raised six children. When Ramona was re-married to James Rombach, she welcomed four more children into her life. Ramona graduated in 1963 with a degree in Social Work from San Fernando Valley State College, now known as California State University, Northridge. She spent 33 years working with LA County Children’s Protective Services; a vocation that drew on her deep well of compassion and care for others. Ramona was a woman of deep faith, being raised as a Methodist, exploring and living that faith in later years as a Lutheran and an Episcopalian. She considered herself one of the “company of the committed”, always actively serving. She was named “Volunteer of the Year” in 2001 by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America for her more than 20 years of service as a Sacristan. Ramona served as a community member of the California Hospice and Palliative Care Association board of directors for six years in the 1990s. Ramona loved life! She cultivated not only beautiful roses and flowers of all kinds, but grew meaningful and long-lasting friendships and relationships. She loved to sing, cook, and entertain. Her favorite pastime was having her family over and feasting on food and fellowship, enjoying her role as matriarch. She was known fondly as Ramona, Bookie, Mom, Grandmother, and GiGi, by the family she loved and all those who loved her. She is survived by James Rombach, her ten children, 28 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, many beloved nieces and nephews, and all their wonderful spouses. The viewing will be held from 2-4 PM on Thursday, July 30, 2015 at Crippen Mortuary, 2900 Honolulu Avenue, Glendale, CA 91214. The Celebration of Life will be held at 11:30 AM Friday, July 31, 2015 at the All Saints Evangelical Lutheran Church, 8040 Glenoaks Blvd, Sun Valley, CA 91352. A graveside service will be held at 1:15 PM at Hollywood Hills Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90068. A potluck reception will be held at the residence following. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in memory of Ramona to the alleviation of cancer. Here are our two suggestions: Avon 39: The Walk to End Breast Cancer c/o Katherine Geeslin 15747 Rayen St. North Hills CA 91343 or The Jada Bascom Foundation Box 1027 Deer Park WA 99006 www.stepstomarrow.com