Rita Ramirez Dean

Rita Ramirez Dean, age 80, peacefully passed away at her home in Twentynine Palms, CA on Saturday, June 10, 2023.  She was born on April 27, 1943 in Colton, CA to Beatriz and José Ramirez.  Rita was a war baby as her father was serving in World War II during the time she was born.  Growing up in Santa Ana, CA with her three sisters, Rita graduated from Chapman University with her Bachelor of Arts in History in 1965 and a Master of Arts in Education in 1971.  Later, while working as a community college professor, she earned, in 2005, a Doctorate of Philosophy from Louisiana State University in Educational Curriculum, Reading, and Instruction.

While on a European travel tour with her sister, Rita met John Charles Dean.  Later, in 1972, they married.  John is the father of her two sons, James and Gene.  Rita and John lived in Twentynine Palms, CA, raising their family and working as educators in the Morongo Basin for over 30 years.  Rita was employed as a college professor at Copper Mountain College in Joshua Tree, CA and at College of the Desert in Palm Desert, CA during that time. 

After retiring in 2002 from College of the Desert, Rita became an active participant in the California Democratic Party, particularly in the High and Low Desert regions.  Rita served as a delegate to the Democratic State Central Committee, Assembly District 38, acted as Vice Chair of the State Democratic Chicano & Latino Caucus, Region 8, and held many other positions during this time.  In 2018, she was elected to serve as a member of the City Council of Victorville, CA.  During her time on the Victorville City Council, she also acted as mayor pro tempore for the city. 

Rita is survived by her sons, James Joseph Dean and his partner Fil Lacap of San Francisco, CA; Gene Kenneth Dean, his wife Fréda Antoine Dean, and their daughter Olivia of Los Angeles, CA; as well as her sisters, Rosie Camacho of Santa Ana, CA and Lucille Frost of Payson, UT. 

Rita will be remembered for her passionate spirit, love of politics, and her excellent public speaking skills as a politician who could summon her oratory skills on command, without a prepared speech, and based on her sheer knowledge that drew from a lifetime of learning, educating, and serving. 

A viewing and funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 20 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Brown Colonial Mortuary in Santa Ana, CA.  Memorial contributions may be made in Rita’s name to the local community college she taught at, Copper Mountain College and their Foundation (https://www.cmccd.edu/support-cmc/donate/).

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