Mary Agnes Bahns
Former Ajijic resident Mary Agnes Bahns, 88, passed away December 26, 2023 at the Legacy Arbors Memory Care in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Mary was the oldest of ten children, born to Henry Herman Bahns and Agnes Marie Reichmuth. She attended District 62 Country School, Leigh Public High School, and Guardian Angels’ High School in West Point, Nebraska. After high school, Mary entered the convent, joining the Missionary Benedictine order in Norfolk, Nebraska, taking as her religious name, Sr. Mary Xavier, OSB.
While in the convent, Mary continued her education, obtaining bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. She taught school in Madison, Raeville, and Winnebago, Nebraska, and also served as elementary principal for some assignments.
Mary left the convent after more than 15 years of service. She obtained a doctorate in microbiology and taught at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa, and later at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. Following these assignments, Mary moved to Fairfax, Virginia and worked in the grants division of Exxon-Mobil. She was particularly pleased when she could help science or math teachers from Nebraska receive grant funding for projects in small, rural districts. Mary hosted many family members and took them to all the interesting and historical sites while she lived in the Washington, DC area.
Mary was an explorer throughout her life and had many travel experiences: she visited Germany, Czechoslovakia, Italy and Japan.
After retiring, Mary moved to Ajijic. She loved Mexico and continued her interest in education by studying Spanish, teaching English, and supporting education in those around her. She provided funds for her cleaning lady’s daughter to complete nurse’s training, and paid for a computer for the children in her cook’s family. Many of her family enjoyed visits with Mary while she lived in Mexico. Mary returned to Nebraska in 2021 in order to be closer to family.
Although her health made it impossible for Mary to travel back to Mexico, this remained her constant dream. She loved the climate, the people, and her memories of the good times she’d had there.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Bob, David, Joe, Tom and Wally; sisters Bernadette and Nancy; sisters-in-law Delores and Ellie; and nephew Jacob Bahns. She is survived by her brother Gene and sister Theresa.
Memorials may be directed to the United Negro College Fund.
Linda Smith Ramos
Linda Smith Ramos died Tuesday, January 23 at age 70. She succumbed to respiratory failure and other complications from hip surgery that she underwent nine months ago.
Linda was born August 3, 1953 in Pennsylvania. Holding a Master’s Degree in English, she enjoyed a 30-year professional career dedicated to teaching. Following retirement she continued in the field as an instructor in English as a second language, giving classes both in the United States and Mexico. She was also an ordained priest in the Anglican church.
Linda and her husband Alfonso Ramos settled down at lakeside five years ago. Soon after their arrival, she was chosen to serve as rector for Christ Church Lakeside, currently located off the highway on the west side of Ajijic, next door to the Smoke House restaurant.
A funeral service will be held there on Monday, February 5, 1 p.m., with the Anglican Bishop attending to officiate.
Linda is survived by Alfonso Ramos, her spouse of eight years; siblings Steve Smith, Patricia Johnson and Kathy Newsome; her children Amy Richmond, Sara Santman and Jenny Ramos; and four grandchildren.
Patricia “Trish” Louise Conner
Long-time Lakeside resident Patricia “Trish” Louise Conner died January 15 in her Ajijic home, after a stay in the hospital.
Born February 22, 1945, in Vallejo, California, Trish was raised in Huron, South Dakota and Billings, Montana.
As a telephone operator in Billings, Trish was honored at the phone company for saving a woman’s life by staying on the phone and calling an ambulance to help a woman going into a diabetic coma. After a few years, she moved up to be an electrician and loved her work and her IBEW membership. Her career at Mountain Bell/US West lasted for 30 years, and she retired in 1995.
After her father, Perry, died in 1978, Trish cared for her mother, Marvel, until she passed away in 2009.
Moving to the Lake Chapala area in 1995, Trish jumped into her new life with both feet. Over the years, she was heavily involved in the English-language Catholic Mass community, the Lake Chapala Society, as a Red Cross volunteer and at Lakeside Little Theater. Trish will be remembered for her unforgettable performance in “Cabaret” as a dancing gorilla alongside Allan McGill, who played the MC, which brought the house down with at least one encore every evening.
Trish loved to travel and try new things. She was a serial learner, taking classes in a wide variety of subjects, including hairdressing, Spanish, death and dying, the accordion, tai chi and calligraphy - to name just a few.
Never married, she was a mother to many animals. There wasn’t an animal she didn’t love and couldn’t live without at least one by her side. She fed and saved street dogs and stray cats, and often said that she expected to die from a fur ball.
Trish had a huge heart for people as well, despite her sometimes crusty exterior. She had a knack and drive for helping people in need, whether it be orphans, widowers, prisoners, her godchildren or friends.
She is survived by many friends who loved her, in particular Lyon, Father Basil, Brother Ernie, Emma, Lorraine, Sandra and Terri. They miss her already and always will.
A memorial Mass was held on January 21 at San Juan Baptista Catholic Church in San Juan Cosala. Her remains will be interned with her Carmelite Community at Calvary Cemetery in Billings, Montana.