Jean Louise Ramsay

Jean Louise Ramsay(nee Ferguson) passed away in her sleep the morning of June 3, 2020. Born November 28, 1925 on the family farm, she was the fourth child in a family of nine children raised on the Ferguson homestead near Dugald Manitoba. This farm was handed down through three generations starting in 1882. She was extremely proud of this heritage. Frequently reminiscing of her grandparents bringing their belongings along the Red River on an ox cart from Ontario to start their homestead, she told of them building the log house that was used as the family dwelling until 1953. Stories of living without electricity or running water, Sunday family dinners, summer picnics, milking the cows, riding the sleigh pulled by horses, and skating on the local pond in winter to music played on a gramophone were her favourite memories. Raised to be hard-working and family-oriented, Jean and her siblings learned high standards of etiquette, always properly dressed for church in their Sunday hats, gloves, and best outfits. In her teens, World War II started and at 17, she had to change her plans to be a nurse and was trained to teach school due to a shortage of teachers. She boarded with Nellie McClung’s family, riding a horse early each day to her school to start the fire in the wood stove and prepare for students. Meeting her future spouse at her sister, Marianne’s wedding, she married Gordon Francis Ramsay April 1955, and a year later, gave birth to their son, Guy Ferguson Ramsay. Through their fifty-one years of marriage, she continued teaching in Winnipeg until the family moved to BC in the mid-sixties for Gordon’s work in farm machinery sales. They retired to Abbotsford where their lives together were filled with volunteering in the United Church; visiting their neighbours at Avonlea; fundraising with Kiwanis friends, and trips back east to catch up with family. Even after Gordon passed away in 2006, she continued to cherish her Trinity Memorial United church family: feeding the homeless, pastoral care, UCW, and working every Saturday at the Farmers Market. She was always tickled pink to do girls lunch out with Joyce & Glenda, or enjoy an afternoon car adventure with Guy. Jean moved to Chase, BC in 2018, to be closer to her son. Surviving Jean is her son Guy(Gerry), grandchildren Scott (Sally) Robertson & his daughter Maddy, Mark Ramsay(Steffi), Heather Ramsay(Kyle), sisters Marianne Richards and Joyce Atkinson, brother Bob Ferguson(Carrie), and sister-in-law Jane Ramsay and numerous nieces and nephews in both the Ramsay and Ferguson families. She was always interested in the latest family news, frequently asking, “And what’s new in your young life?” The family wishes to extend a heart-felt thank you to Parkside Assisted Living Community, Dr. Ben Robinson, and Kamloops Hospice for their loving care of Mom in these last two years. Unfortunately, there will be no service at this time, with interment at Chilliwack Cemetery at a later date. Jean’s feisty spirit and her beautiful smile will be sorely missed by her family and friends Should you wish to honour her life, donations would be gratefully appreciated by the Kamloops Hospice Association at kamloopshospice.com or Kamloops Hospice Association, 72 Whiteshield Crescent South, Kamloops B.C. V2E 2S9 .