Jamie and Elizabeth Cortes

Elizabeth Muñoz Cortés lost her battle with pancreatic cancer on Saturday, May 7, 2022 in the home of her youngest sister, Amelia Muñoz, and in the company of her children. Her husband, Jaime Ramirez Cortés, died four months earlier on Jan. 14, 2022, after a valiant battle with colon cancer. They are survived by their three children and two grandchildren.

Elizabeth was born in Fort Worth, Texas on March 23, 1952; the fourth child of Amelia and Alfredo Muñoz. Five years later, Elizabeth's family relocated to Union City, Calif., a suburb in the San Francisco East Bay. A graduate of James Long High School, Class of 1970, Elizabeth was accepted into the University of California, Berkeley, but was implored by her parents to study closer to home. She instead attended Chabot College and California State University East Bay (formerly Cal State Hayward), eventually earning her associates degree at Hartnell College.

At the age of 13, Elizabeth met 16-year-old Jaime at a street faire in Union City. Born in Mexico, Jaime was the fourth child of Jaime Sr. and Francisca Cortés. The grandson of Mexican poet Alfredo Placencia, Jaime was raised in the artist colony of Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, outside of the city of Guadalajara. Jaime came to the US as an undocumented immigrant and once in the east bay, was welcomed into the home of Margarita and Enrique Muñoz Sr., no relation to Elizabeth. While living with the Muñoz family, their son, Felipe Muñoz, was dating Elizabeth's sister, Helen. The young couple introduced Jaime to Elizabeth. She didn't speak Spanish and he didn't speak English, but both eventually became fluent in both languages. After dating for several years,

Elizabeth and Jaime eloped on Nov. 4, 1971.

Employed by Kragen Auto parts for 15 years, Elizabeth was a proud member of the Teamsters union and served as a shop steward for her local. As a longshoreman in the Port of Oakland, Jaime was a member of ILWU Local 6 (International Longshore & Wearhouse Union). Their eldest child has many memories of sitting through meetings at the union hall on Hegenberger Road in Oakland. Jaime also worked for Bay Area companies including Sherex, Saroni and McKessen. He loved taking his children to the port of Oakland to see ships, such as Jacques Cousteau's Calypso, and to baseball games at the Oakland Coliseum. These experiences left an indelible impression on his two older children, who are now life-long fans of the Oakland Athletics.

The couple purchased a new home in Union City, where they would raise two of their three children. A self-taught carpenter and wood worker, Jaime customized the home by adding personal touches, such as a mailbox that was a replica of the house; a fish pond and waterfall; a backyard garden and sandbox; a barbecue pit; and even a castle/playhouse for his daughter. Elizabeth and Jaime were part of a tight-knit community of neighbors on Rochelle Drive. For example, in the early 1980's, Jaime and his friend and neighbor, Alfred Lagaya Sr., built a float (a replica of the E.T. spaceship) for Cabello Elementary School, which won first prize in a local parade. They also kept their children involved in community organizations. Elizabeth spent a great deal of time volunteering for her daughter's girl scout troop and her son and daughter's swimming team, Bay Area Aquatics (now known as Mission San Jose Aquatics).

While living in the East Bay, Jaime and Elizabeth introduced their children to all their favorite places including the Union City 6 Drive-In, Casper's Famous Hot Dogs (and Kasper's Legendary Hot Dogs), Nation's Giant Hamburgers, Farrel's Ice Cream Parlor, Howie's Drive-In, Cloverdale Creamery, Lord's Ice Cream, Cattleman's, Swensen's, the Oakland Zoo, Coyote Hills and Fairyland.

In 1987, Elizabeth and Jaime fulfilled their dream of owning their own business. They moved to Greenfield, Calif., in Monterey County to open their hardware and automotive store, Coast to Coast Hardware. In 1991, they welcomed their third child, Erica into the family.

Both Jaime and Elizabeth were active members of the Greenfield community with Jaime being a member of the Lion's Club while Elizabeth was a member of the Woman's Club; and both served as president for each organization. In these roles and as members of the local business community, they organized a myriad of fundraisers and civic events. In 1998, they closed their family business and started the next chapter of their lives and careers.

Ever life-long learners, Jaime became a licensed contractor while Elizabeth earned her realtors license, became a notary public, and a tax preparer with H&R Block. Their emphasis on education and self-improvement inspired their children, all of whom graduated from college. Their son would go on to earn a Master's degree and their eldest daughter recently earned her PhD.

When Jaime accepted a position at Soledad prison, the couple and their youngest daughter moved to Soledad, Calif. Together, Elizabeth and Jaime bought and remodeled local rental properties. Upon his retirement, Jaime spent his time customizing their Soledad home, gardening, building furniture, bird houses, intricate model ships, and spoiling his dogs. Elizabeth also became a loving dog parent. She loved swimming and water aerobics and periodically taught these classes. They traveled the country and the world, by enjoying cruises with their dearest friends. They adored being grandparents and visited their children and grandchildren in Washington state and Arizona.

A celebration of their lives is planned for 10 a.m. on August 19 at Our Lady of the Rosary Church on 703 C St in Union City, Calif. Food and music will follow in the church hall from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. As teenagers and adults, Jaime and Elizabeth attended many dances and family gatherings in this hall, so it is only fitting that this location be the site of their final celebration.

Published in Salinas Valley Tribune · August 8, 2022