#6

COYO RAMÍREZ, A CENTURY OF BEING HAPPY

Today, a well-known woman in our city, who for many years attended the pharmacy of Dr. Guerra, and who it was common to see at Mass and in various activities of the parish, turns 100, thus becoming one of the oldest people in our city.

On August 25, 1921, the girl María del Socorro Ramírez Gil was born in the then sleepy city of Álamos, daughter of Paulino Ramírez Morales, a saddler by trade, and his wife Trinidad Gil Chávez.

Popularly known as "Coyo", she mentions that her childhood was spent between two houses: her house in Álamos, located in front of the Municipal Market and bordering the arroyo La Aduana, which carried water almost all year at that time—forming pools where, she remembers, little fish were seen. and at her father's ranch, La Labor, where she participated in ranch activities.

She did her primary studies at the Catholic school which the teacher Leticia Corbalá had at that time, a school that during the time of religious persecution had to change its name to “Leona Vicario” to be in keeping with the secularism of the government. Coyo has clear memories of the time of the persecution. She remembers that when they opened the church {after being closed by law during the presidency of Plutarco Elías Calles, 1924-1928} it was full of pigeon guano, quite a high level above the floor, and that when the priest arrived her mother provided him with some basic necessities to live in a room attached to the temple. She mentions that the municipal president at that time, Don Manuel Corbalá Acuña, was a staunch supporter of the anti-Christian state government, and he therefore launched a defamation campaign in the municipality. He became known as ”the red devil" for his persecution of the Catholics.

She said she learned to sew at the age of seven, this is in 1928, and that as she grew up for some time she made other people's seams, adding that only the rich people used her because she charged a lot!

In addition to sewing, she wove, embroidered and painted. Also, a large part of her life was dedicated to God, so it was very common to find her in the church, and she also met all the bishops of the diocese of Ciudad Obregón beginning with Monsignor Juan María Navarrete {who became Bishop in 1919}.

However, perhaps one of her main dreams was to study medicine. At that time it was unusual for women to study beyond basic education, which is why it was not possible for her to become a doctor. However, she dedicated around 50 years working in the pharmacy of Dr. José María Guerra Flores, where she certainly learned a lot about medicine! Over time she gained the ability to prescribe medicine to many of the people who came to the counter, particularly those that could not afford the consultation fee.

Among the memories of her that she highlights from her centennial life, she mentions the time she met María Félix in the house of General Anselmo Macías Valenzuela. It was 1953 and at that time Macías lived in Álamos, where he had the Álamos Motel (the building that today occupies the monastery of the Missionaries of Fátima). Coyo remembers the actress as a “beautiful person, a very beautiful woman.”

But she also met some presidents who visited Álamos, the first being General Lázaro Cárdenas during his visit to the City of the Portals in June, 1939, and she describes him as a "bit stupid." She also met Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado, whom she greeted by hand. She also met Carlos Salinas and Felipe Calderón, the latter when he came to Álamos in 2008 as a result of the Hurricane Norbert flood. Coyo’s house was damaged by flooding from the Arroya La Aduana, so when the president passed by her street she invited him to go up to the sidewalk. There she greeted him and gave him a kiss on the cheek, she says with pleasure.

This and much more could be told of someone who has had the privilege of reaching such an advanced age and, better yet, with truly enviable health. But I think it's convenient to just add one more piece of information, which undoubtedly sums up her life. Just a few days ago, one of her nieces asked her how she lived her 100 years, and she answered with confidence: “Happy! Happy since I was born and until now!”.

Very happy birthday to Coyo!

Juan Carlos Holguín Balderrama

Municipal Chronicler

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