Anne Barrows Ramsey, 95, passed away peacefully Dec. 27, 2014, at the Cove’s Edge Rehabilitation unit in Damariscotta with her daughter, Marianne, family and friends nearby. She died with her lipstick on, hair curled, and a big red flower in her hair. Even on her deathbed, she wanted to go to be with her loved ones in style.
She was born Mary Anne Barrows in Greenwich, Conn. on July 9, 1919 to Paul and Faith Barrows, followed by her sister, Jean, in 1925. She came into this world with “piss and vinegar,” a beautiful face and a mind of her own…a force to be reckoned with! She grew up in Greenwich and Mayapple Farm in North Stamford, Conn., where her father raised apples and pears.
She attended Greenwich Country Day School, the Hoyt School in Stamford, and the Low-Heywood School in Stamford, where she was the editor of the yearbook and graduated in 1936. She attended Vassar College as a theatre major, and graduated in 1940. She met and married John C. Ramsey in October of 1941, before he was shipped off to war serving with the Seabees.
She and her husband had a house built in 1941, next to a 200-year-old chestnut tree on part of the Mayapple Farm, where she lived until 2013. She then moved to the Lincoln Home Assisted Living Facility because she wanted to be near her summer family home in McFarland’s Cove, which her father had purchased from old Captain McFarland in 1948. Her first daughter, Marianne was born in 1948, followed by her second daughter, Dorothea in 1950.
While living in Stamford, she directed children’s plays and was an active member of the St. Francis Church, the Junior League, the Boys and Girls Clubs, the Stamford Garden Club where she served as conservation chairman, the Stamford Historical Society, and with her husband was a member of the Stamford Yacht Club where she participated in running the Soup and Sloop. She was an active member of all of these organizations for over 50 years.
With her husband and family, she spent many summers in McFarland’s Cove until his death in 1978 at the age of 63. After his passing, she continued to come to her summer home every year, spending the summer until 2013.
She loved being with her friends and family, her companion Kit Sheldon who passed away in 2001, sailing, boating, taking her friends and family on her boat with Captain Ron, and entertaining with style. She loved to travel, particularly to India, China, Egypt, and Europe. She also enjoyed taking her grandchildren to musicals, staying at the Ritz, going to the opera and symphony, and out to fine restaurants with her friends.
She is survived by her daughter, Marianne and husband Terry Louderback; grandchildren, Paul and wife Jessica, Tina and husband Tim, and Eric; great-grandchildren, Mikayla, Liam, and Thomas; nephews, Geoff and Chris Bates and their families; many loving family and friends all over New England, Chicago and the East coast; as well as her caretaker and loving companion for many years, Margie Langley.
A private service of love and remembrance, and celebration of the life of Anne Ramsey, will be held at the Union Church in South Bristol for all those people who loved and felt touched by her life.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 6931 Arlington Rd., 2nd floor, Bethesda, MD 20814, in memory of her daughter Thea Ramsey.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
