Martha S Ramee

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Celebrating the life of
Martha S RameeMarch 07, 1922 - May 29, 2008

Martha S. Marcie Ramee

- SAVANNAH - Martha S. Marcie Ramee died May 29th at St. Josephs' Hospital following her most recent brief illness.

A gracious Savannahian, Army wife, and doting mother, Marcie, as she was nicknamed at birth by her only brother, was born on March 7, 1922, in Dayton, Ohio. There she attended the Julienne Academy and later the Dayton Business College. A few weeks before Pearl Harbor's bombing on December 7, 1941, Marcie signed on as an entry level secretary with the Personnel Section at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base rising to secretary to the Chief, Administrative Personnel Division by the end of the War at age 23.

During the War, Marcie's first love and fiancée, Dick Winden, a US Army Air Corps pilot, died in a training flight in 1942. Shortly thereafter, Marcie's father, Clem Schellman died in 1943 following a stroke attributed to business stresses following the Great Depression. Both were defining memory in our mother's life. Marcie would meet her future husband, then Capt Paul W. Ramee shortly after these events in November 1943 at the wedding of her brother, Maj. Bob Schellman later Maj. Gen USA Ret to our dear Aunt Helen. Because of Marcie's work and the recent death of her fiancée, the meeting did not generate immediate sparks. Besides, Paul and her brother were candidates for an early move with their troops to a combat zone.

Following the end of hostilities, Paul, now Major Ramee, started wooing Marcie from the University of Illinois, where he was collecting a master in Civil Engineering in furtherance of his career in the US Army Corps of Engineers. Recognizing that a union would be greatly advantageous and joyful for both, Marcie and Paul married on October 12, 1946, Columbus Day. Paul would brag that it wasn't only Christopher Columbus who made a great discovery on that date.

Marcie and Paul would finish out Paul's university schooling in Champaign-Urbana, spend the next few years in Washington DC, where their first child Susan would die within 24 hours of birth. Son Michael was born there in 1948. Marcie and baby Michael would follow Paul to Okinawa, via ship in those days, arriving in time to see Paul off for a hasty deployment to the Korea as hostilities broke out. By early September 1951, Paul collected Marcie and their son from Okinawa and returned to the states to begin a four year assignment at the USMA at West Point. They were joined by Marcie's mother, Roselle, who would continue to live with them until her death in 1972. While in New York, Marcie birthed sons Steve and Tom.

In 1956 Marcie and Paul got another choice assignment, sailing on a troop transport with their three sons for a three year tour, renting a little grass shack on the beach before moving to Scholfield Barracks, Honolulu, Hawaii. There, their favorite daughter, Kathleen, was born in 1956. After "their longest and happiest tour" the Ramee tribe would migrate through Topeka, Kansas yech!; Carlisle, Pennsylvania better, and Washington DC once again before arriving, in 1963, on a dark and rainy night in Savannah to their new home amongst moss draped oaks. Marcie and gang, while they didn't know it at the time, after years of army adventure had finally found their home!

Paul, now Col Ramee, came to Savannah to head the local Corps of Engineers District. Marcie would continue to focus on raising the family and supporting her beloved husband. She became active in the community, dedicating time to St. James Catholic Church, assisting St. Joseph's hospital as a Red Cross "candy striper", docenting at the Telfair, modeling at charity fashion shows, and attending numerous parties. She would remain in Savannah with the children while Paul went off to war in Vietnam. Upon the return, Marcie would pack the family off for one last army assignment in Germany, returning to Savannah a year later as her husband began his post army career as a civil engineer.

Marcie, finally liberated from a career as full time mom, with her youngest child licensed to crash cars, took up tennis at the young age of 50. She relished the game, playing initially at the Savannah Yacht Club and later at the Landings on Skidaway Island where they were pioneers in 1975 she would move three more times while in Savannah, just to keep in practice. She continued to play team tennis well in her 70's, eschewing any concern for heat and humidity, gaining her the admiration of the newer and younger transplants to our fair city. When it was clear to Marcie in her mid seventies that she would not be able to continue with her beloved sport forever, she took up golf and enjoyed playing with the "nineholers" at the Landings. Her putting was awesome.

Marcie was an avid sports fan, devoted to her "Braves", and spending countless hours sitting on bleachers cheering for her children, and then her grandchildren. Perhaps she was less than completely gracious when confronted with an adverse call from a hapless referee.

Marcie never recovered from the broken heart she experienced with the loss of her beloved husband in 1994. She struggled on, surrounding by an ever growing family now including grandchildren, volunteered with the Landings Association at the guard gate, where she kept track of the comings and goings, and continued to be active in the St. James Catholic community as an Eucharistic Minister. In recognition of her years of service to the catholic community, she was recently awarded the Gartland Award by the Diocese of Savannah.

The family wishes to express our great gratitude to "Set" Setliffe, a fellow career army officer and groomsman in Paul and Marcie's wedding, and great friend to Marcie, who had the forethought to record this and much more of the family lore for us while Mom was still among us.

Marcie is survived by four children, Michael J. Ramee and his wife Christy of Denver, Stephen R. Ramee, M.D. and his wife Jane of New Orleans, Thomas M. Ramee and his wife Ann, and Kathleen Ramee Pitt, both of Savannah, and grandchildren, Christopher Ramee, Chandra Pitt, Emily Ramee, M.D., Gabriel Pitt, Nicholas Pitt, Veronica Pitt, Shane Ramee, Ali Ramee, great granddaughter Marley, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. James Catholic Church, 8412 Whitfield Avenue, at 1:00pm on Saturday May, 31, 2008. There will be a burial service later at the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

The family requests no flowers. Remembrances may be donated to St. James Catholic Church, the St. Joseph's and Candler Foundation, or a charity of your choice.

The family will receive visitors immediately following the service at the home of Kathleen Pitt at the Landings on Skidaway Island.

SHARE YOUR CONDOLENCES

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GUEST BOOK

Thank you all for keeping mom's memory alive. We all still miss her and dad every day!

- Steve Ramee, New Orleans, LA

She was a grand ole gal, huh Tom?! I am so sorry to just learn that y'all lost Marcie last May, but it's my belief that God has put her in a happier place, together again with your dad. My deepest condolences to you, Tom, and your entire family. Always a delight, interesting and often amusing, Marcie's charm and spirit touched countless hearts and lives. She's sorely missed I'm sure, and fond memories will abound for generations. The obituary is beautiful. Thinking of her makes me smile. My Best, Kay Penny.

- Kay Penny, Savannah, GA

Marci was a volunteer at our Monastery for a short time. We loved her graciousness and concern for all who called or came besides for the Nuns. Our thoughts and prayer go with her and all the family members. Carmelite Nuns of Savannah GA

- Carmelite Monastery, Savannah, GA

Brother Robert shared your recent loss with me. While many miles and years separate us, I remember your mother with great fondness. I always loved your parents, along with your whole family. The Ramee kids were/are all larger than life, and, more importantly, are wonderful people. That is the greatest tribute a mother can have -to know her children are good people. My condolences to all, but especially to my old, great friend Kathleen. Ellen Rollings

- Ellen Rollings Glasser, Atlantic Beach, FL

Dear Tom & Ann, We are most sorry to have read about Marcie's passing and regret being away over the weekend. She was a great gal and will be missed, but she is in the best of hands now. And she, with Paul, has left terrific legacies!!!

- Don and Sandy Mayer, Savannah, GA

Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of your mother. She must have been a special woman and it appears she lived a full and exciting life. A special prayer will be made in her honor.

- Bernard Logan, Savannah, GA

Please accept our deepest condolences for the loss of your Mother.

- Marcus and Olivia Gann, Savannah, GA

PLEASE ACCEPT OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES.

- GEORGE & SHIRLEY OELSCHIG, SAVANNAH, GA

my thoughts and prayers are with your family - may God bless each of you through this difficult time

- Amy Parks, Greer, SC

I first met Marcee on the tennis court and grew quite friendly with her over the years. We moved out of savannah and I lost touch. She certainly was a wonderful lady who lived a full life. She will be missed by many. My thoughts are with her family. Pat Lach

- Pat Lach, Aiken, GA