Love is the essence of Ramona Merced and her family. "We have raised our kids in a way of love. We love each other and they always have a good time together," she said. "When they leave the house, I say, ‘God bless you. Be careful. Be good. I love you.’ They always leave the house smiling. I don’t want anyone leaving angry. I get compliments on the love we have for each other. It is the most important thing in this world. It keeps us together," she explained. "We help each other like crazy."

She also extends her love to the parish family. Born in Puerto Rico, she is the daughter of a seamstress who taught her well. For the past several years, she has volunteered to make the beautifully embellished white garments placed on every baby as part of each Baptism ceremony . It may amount to 100 garments a year, and Deacon Roger warns her to get busy when he has only one garment ahead.

She and her husband, Francisco (Frank) were married in Puerto Rico over 50 years ago. They followed their daughter, Rae Presz, to Wadsworth in 1989 after living in Indiana and Wisconsin. Now two other daughters live here, Becky Mima and Sandy Todd, along with two of their three sons. The Merceds also have raised two nieces whom they consider daughters. Fourteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild complete the family.

Tiny, and less than 90 pounds, Ramona says she has never minded being small. She makes up for it with a giant supply of energy. In her workroom, complete with ironing board, sewing machine, fabrics, lace, and trims, she turns out doll clothes by the hundreds. She and her daughters sell these in a half dozen craft shows each year.

A lot of her time is spent in prayer. Upon awakening between 4 and 5 each morning, she reads a variety of prayers she keeps in a large envelope. One is to St. Peregrine, the patron for cancer patients.

Six years ago, Ramona was diagnosed with two types of cancer, after feeling unwell for over a year. A registered nurse, she had to quit her job as a nursing assistant at Magnolia Care Center and went through difficult chemotherapy for nine months. She liked the hands-on patient care, but her children convinced her to retire after she regained her health.

Following her morning prayers, her husband joins her for coffee and they
recite the rosary together. She then attends the 8 a.m. Mass.

Having survived the cancer, she feels that "If I am here it has to be for a reason." So when she noticed that the seat covers in the front pews at the church were looking shabby, she went home and made a new set of covers.

— JOAN BRANNIGAN