Ann Marie Ramsay

RAMSAY, Ann Marie

The family of Ann Marie Catherine McLaughlin Ramsay mourn her passing on October 29, 2022. Marie was the daughter of the late Wilfred McLaughlin, Long Branch butcher shop owner, and the late Roselene Sandford, salesperson in the hat department of what was then the Queen Street Eaton’s store. Marie was the granddaughter of James McLaughlin, Catherine Culliton, William Sandford and Catherine O’Connor.

Marie was predeceased by her husband Kenneth George Ramsay in 2010 after 52 years of marriage.

She was also pre-deceased by many aunts, uncles, friends, Ken’s brothers and sisters and by her loving cousins Zita Morrison (the late Ray), Allan Wayne Rush, William Sandford (the late Barbara), Kay Lovelace (the late Sidney), Marilyn Reeve (the late Harry), Mary Minnings (the late Joe) and Catherine Stone “Hawkins” (the late Bill).

Marie is survived by her children Marianne Upenieks (Ed), Carolyn Jackson (Stephen) and Greg. ‘Nana’ will be forever remembered by her devoted grandchildren Ryan (Michelle), Michael (Jennifer), Johanna (Nick), Daniel (Alyssa), Shaun (Hailie) and Julia. She loved each of them with all of her heart. She also leaves her loving cousins Annette Faulkner (the late Percy) and Patricia (David Rudan); her sister-in-law Sally Ramsay, brother-in-law Murray Gardiner, many nieces and nephews on the Ramsay side of the family; and her lifelong Long Branch friends Mary Laffradi and Helen Winfield.

Wilfred and Roselene’s only child, Marie was born at Barrie’s Royal Victoria Hospital in 1932 during the Great Depression, into a large and musical tight-knit Irish Catholic family whose ancestors were early settlers in Etobicoke (Alderwood), Mississauga and the rural areas around Barrie. Having an exceptional ear for music, Marie was a gifted piano player and singer like her mother’s cousin Kate O’Connor. Family gatherings early in Marie’s life often included her and Kate on the piano while relatives sang and her Dad provided accompaniment on the violin. Marie’s piano-playing was also a feature of many family gatherings throughout the years. She attended James S. Bell grade school in Long Branch, St. Joseph’s College School in Toronto and graduated with Honours from Toronto’s Royal Conservatory of Music.

Marie spent many happy years visiting relatives in Phelpston and Wasaga Beach, where her father had a summertime butcher shop. She met her dear Kenny, a Mimico boy, at Goodyear in New Toronto and they married in 1958. Marie often told family and friends that the moment she saw him she knew she would love him for the rest of her life. The young couple lived in Moncton, New Brunswick from 1958 to 1964 and upon their return to Ontario, they moved to Long Branch to be close to Marie’s parents and her much-loved aunts and uncles, Jack and Josephine Sandford, Helena and Allan Rush, Edward and Agnes Sandford, Mary and Tom Sumner and Anna (Johanna) Birnie.

Marie and Ken moved to Brampton in 1969, raised their three children there and were committed parishioners at St. Mary’s Church. Marie sang with the Peel Choral Society for many years and having been a tap dancer in her youth, joined a clogging group at the age of 70. Marie and Ken spent many happy times in Brampton with their great friends, the Cormiers and Gossages. Many idyllic summers were spent at Three Mile Lake, along with neighbouring relatives the Beattys, Gardiners and Faulkners.

The family is grateful for the care and attention provided by Doctors Collins and Cheema, her Central West LHIN case manager Lisa and her two PSWs, Megan and Alicia. The homecare Marie received allowed her to remain at home until a week before her passing.

Marie was a one-of-a-kind magnetic personality with a gift for the gab who loved jokes and often found herself in the middle of comical situations and misunderstandings. She lived by the words “Do Unto Others” as recounted in the Bible (Luke 6:31; Matthew 7:12). She made friends everywhere she went, offered friends and strangers a shoulder to cry on, loved people and animals and had endless empathy. She will be deeply missed by all those who had the good fortune to cross her path in this life.

There will be a private family visitation. The Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday November 5th, 2022 at 11:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 66 Main St S, Brampton, ON L6W 2C6. Donations to St. Patrick’s Church in Phelpston, Ontario or to ReGeneration Outreach in Brampton, Ontario, would be appreciated.