Mourning the death of Deborah O. Ramsey, devoted community volunteer, cherished church member, and distinguished member of her community

Senate Resolution No. 2240

BY: Senator HARCKHAM

        MOURNING  the  death of Deborah O. Ramsey, devoted
        community volunteer, cherished  church  member,  and
        distinguished member of her community

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor the lives
of   those   distinguished   citizens  whose  compassion,  service,  and
dedication left a lasting imprint upon their families, communities,  and
the State of New York; and

  WHEREAS, Deborah O. Ramsey, a longtime resident of Croton-on-Hudson,
New York, died on February 1, 2026, at the age of 72; and

  WHEREAS,  Born  on  April  10,  1953, in Greensboro, North Carolina,
Deborah Ramsey was the daughter of Jeannette Foster Osborne and  William
C. Osborne; and

  WHEREAS,   In   1963,  Deborah  Ramsey  moved  with  her  family  to
Huntington, Long Island, where she completed her secondary education and
began laying the foundation for a life devoted to learning, service, and
community engagement; and

  WHEREAS, Deborah Ramsey pursued higher education at  the  University
of  North  Carolina  and  later earned degrees in English and Journalism
from Stony Brook University, reflecting her  lifelong  appreciation  for
communication, education, and the written word; and

  WHEREAS, In 1978, Deborah Ramsey married her beloved husband, Robert
Ramsey,   whom   she   met   while  working  together  at  Underwriter's
Laboratories in Melville, Long Island, and together they built a  loving
family and enduring partnership; and

  WHEREAS,  Deborah and Robert Ramsey made their home in Huntington in
1980, where they raised their three sons, Logan, Tristan,  and  Brennan,
and  shared  their  lives  with  a  beloved  array of animals, including
Alaskan Malamutes, Irish Wolfhounds, and  numerous  rescued  companions;
and

  WHEREAS,  A devoted mother and wife, Deborah Ramsey placed family at
the center of her life and nurtured her children with  unwavering  love,
guidance, and support; and

  WHEREAS,  Deborah  Ramsey  was  a committed and active member of her
faith community, serving as a Sunday School teacher  for  25  years  and
singing  in  the  choir  at  St. John's Episcopal Church, where she also
contributed her time and talents to church life and fellowship; and

  WHEREAS, Her musical gifts and dedication to service led her to join
the Huntington Choral Society, a distinguished ensemble of more than one
hundred voices, with whom she sang until 2006; and

  WHEREAS, After relocating to  Croton-on-Hudson,  New  York,  Deborah
Ramsey  became  an  active  member  of St. Augustine's Episcopal Church,
where she continued her  lifelong  devotion  to  worship  through  choir

participation,  service  on the Altar Guild, and work as a Lay Eucharist
Minister; and

  WHEREAS, Deborah Ramsey was deeply committed to community engagement
and  volunteerism,  embodying  a spirit of service in all aspects of her
life; and

  WHEREAS,  A  passionate  advocate  for  cycling,   she   became   an
enthusiastic  member of the Westchester Cycle Club, where she led rides,
taught bicycle safety to children, and served as a joyful ambassador for
the health and communal benefits of cycling; her annual Halloween  rides
became  cherished  community  events,  bringing  together as many as one
hundred participants in celebration and fellowship; and

  WHEREAS, Deborah Ramsey also dedicated herself to helping  those  in
need  through  her  volunteer  service with Westchester Meals on Wheels,
delivering meals to elderly residents and providing  companionship  that
often became the highlight of their week; and

  WHEREAS,  Known for her optimism, warmth, compassion, and unwavering
kindness, Deborah Ramsey brought joy and encouragement to  all  who  had
the privilege of knowing her; and

  WHEREAS,  Her  life  was  marked  by generosity of spirit, steadfast
support of others, and a boundless capacity for love, leaving  a  legacy
of  kindness  that  will continue to inspire all who were touched by her
presence; and

  WHEREAS, Deborah Ramsey is survived by her  loving  husband,  Robert
Ramsey;  her  sons,  Logan,  Tristan,  and Brennan; and a wide circle of
family, friends, fellow parishioners, and  community  members  who  will
forever cherish her memory; and

  WHEREAS, The passing of Deborah O. Ramsey represents a profound loss
to  her  family,  her  faith  community, and the many lives she enriched
through her service and friendship; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
mourn the death of Deborah O. Ramsey, recognizing with deep appreciation
her  lifelong  dedication  to  family, faith, and community service, and
extending heartfelt condolences to her family  and  all  who  mourn  her
passing; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Deborah O. Ramsey.