Jean Esther Ramsdell

OXFORD — Jean Esther Ramsdell (Purcell/Pennington), 53, of Oxford died at 7:02 p.m. on January 26, 2011 at Maine Medical Center in Portland, due to a lifelong battle with diabetes and the complications that come with it, including dialysis, neuropathy and multiple amputations. She was born in Malden, MA April 2, 1957 to R. Douglas Ramsdell and Nancy Simonds. She has two siblings, Brent Andrew Ramsdell of Willimantic, CT and Ebenezer Scott Ramsdell of Dover, NH.

She worked as an EMT for most of her younger years out of Hartford, CT and then as an Adult Education teacher in her older years. She became disabled in 1989. Throughout her life she has lived in many states including ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, and FL. She loved to paint and share her skills with anyone willing to learn. She also enjoyed stained glass, yard sales, the ocean and children. She was definitely a “Kool-aid” mom.

She is survived by her father, R. Douglas Ramsdell of Sebastian, FL and his wife Shirley Ramsdell; her daughter, Justine R. Gray; son-in-law, Everett E. Gray; her son, Joshua J. S. Koback and his companion Sara Wheeler; two grandchildren, Jenevieve M. Gray and Owen S. Koback; various other “children” whom she has taken in or who have grown attached to her over the years and her best friend, Mary Newman. She was predeceased by her mother, Nancy S. Simonds.

Her Memorial service will be held at Oxford Hills and Weston Funeral Services on Friday, February 4, from 6-8 p.m. In lieu of cards and flowers, the family is asking for monetary donations to be sent to the funeral home or Justine Gray, PO Box 403, Oxford, ME 04270 to cover final burial expenses. On-line condolences may be expressed to the family at www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com.

Photo:

Jean Ramsdell