Sylvia M Ramsey

Her love of land, flora and fauna came at an early age living next to her grandparents’ farm in the village of Valier, outside of Punxsutawney, PA where she spent the next 18 years.

She attended Lock Haven State College majoring in Social Welfare and she did graduate studies at Rollins College in Urban and Regional Planning. She went on to work for the Harry Hughes campaign and his governorship. She had the honor of meeting Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

At MDOT, her most rewarding work was the Rails to Trails program. One friend said that the Great Allegheny Passage would not exist without her initiatives and another friend stated that her legacy lives on with every step or turn of a pedal on a trail in Maryland.

Being a staunch advocate for the environment, land conservation and parks and recreation, she served on the Howard County Maryland Receation and Parks Advisory Board for over ten years, guiding public planning, design and budget meetings and hearings. During her tenure numerous projects were proposed and completed such as the Robinson Nature Center, Troy Regional Park, Blandair Regional Park as well as many significant upgrades and improvements. She regularly testified before the County Council in support of funding requests by the Recreation and Parks Department. She was often seen walking the trails and pathways throughout the county with her dog, Kiki, who would also accompany her to ground breakings and ribbon cuttings! Sylvia also served on the Board of the Patapsco Heritage Greenway, an organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the Patapsco Heritage Area.

Sylvia was an avid gardener and waited with anticipation each spring of getting her hands in the earth. Her flower garden, with a wide variety of native plants, was her pride and joy. She made beautiful bouquets and shared her creations with friends and neighbors.

Sylvia was a horse lover from day one and she spent many years in the ring with her beloved Danish Warmblood, Dacapo. With Dacapo, she rode FEI dressage tests (international level). The highest test she accomplished was Intermediate-a level just below Grand Prix.

She embarked on a career in art later in life and became an accomplished artist with a speciality of animals and a variety of art styles including family portraits, contemporary eastern and western and realistic architectural scenes. Her art gave her much pleasure and enjoyment.

Sylvia was a special auntie to not only her nephews and nieces but with neighbor kids. “Camp Sylvia” was known throughout the neighborhood where she fostered a group known as the “Green Team” and took them on a multitude of outdoor adventures.

Sylvia is survived by her two sisters, Muriel Ricker of Suffolk, VA, Penny Warren of Washington, DC, her brother, Ed Means of Deming, New Mexico, seven nieces and nephews and 13 great nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, April 28th, 2:00 p.m. at the Sacred Monastery of St. Nina, 9002 Clemsonville Road, Union Bridge, MD.