KILMARNOCK—Frances Gunther Ramzy, 84, passed away peacefully on July 11.
She was the daughter of Joseph and Emma Smith Gunther, and wife of retired U.S. Navy Capt. James Robert Ramzy, who predeceased her.
Mrs. Ramzy was born on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. She earned her bachelor’s in mathematics at Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg and master’s in history and master’s in post-secondary education from O.D.U. She taught in Maryland, California, Hawaii and Virginia, finishing her career with Norfolk Public Schools.
A lover of travel, Mrs. Ramzy visited Central America, Russia, Greece, Scandinavia, Ireland, England and all the countries of Europe. Of all the countries she visited, she loved the Far East the best, because it was the most different from her other experiences; she loved to be challenged and was utterly unafraid of adventure. She also loved sailing and loved the ocean as “very soothing and yet invigorating and very beautiful.”
She is survived by daughters Ann Ramzy Arumäe, Susan Frances Ramzy and Catherine Ramzy Harrison; by grandchildren Sean Robert Arumäe and Zachary James Harrison, Caitlin Harrison March and Alicia Arumäe Owens, and by four great-grandchildren Jaxon, Sloane, Scarlet and Kent. She is also survived by her beloved aide and friend Kattrell Diane Lewis.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 22, at Princess Anne Memorial Garden, 1110 North Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach, with a reception and celebration of her life to follow.
In lieu of flowers, she would have appreciated donations to Beach House, 3143 Magic Hollow Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23453. Beach House provides recreational and rehabilitation services in a clubhouse format for the mentally ill of Hampton Roads.