Alice J. Ramer, 95, passed away on July 28, 2019 while under the care of the Somerfield Health Center in Brentwood, TN.
A native of Lockport, New York, upon graduation from high school in 1941, she enrolled in the public health nursing program at the University of Buffalo School of Nursing, in affiliation with the city’s Edward J. Meyer Memorial Hospital. With the outbreak of the Second World War, she applied for and was accepted into the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps program. Upon completion of her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and training as a registered nurse, she was enlisted as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. For the duration of the war, she was assigned to medical duties at the historic Brooklyn Naval Yard Hospital. In the service of her country, she brought a commitment to help those in need. With her Navy Nurse colleagues, “Babs” made friendships that she would maintain throughout the rest of her life.
Following the war’s end, she received an honorable discharge and returned to Lockport, working as a surgical nurse at Lockport Memorial Hospital. She was reunited with Robert James Ramer, who had returned home from the war as a First Lieutenant fighter pilot with the U.S. Army Air Corps. Flying in the European Field of Operations, Bob had named his P-51 Mustang “Ensign Babs” in her honor. They were married on August 6th, 1946. Having first met as children attending the Hawley Street School, he was her hometown sweetheart, the love of her life and her best friend.
Alice continued her studies towards a degree in Public Health Nursing, which led to her ultimate career as a School Nurse-Teacher, first in the Newfane School System and, eventually, in the Lockport School System. Her love of children, coupled with her passion for school nursing, found fulfillment in a vocation that endured throughout her decades of service within the Lockport community.
As a wife, a mother, a sister, an aunt, a grandmother, a daughter and a daughter-in-law, her heart was committed to her family, first and foremost. She attended to the needs of all and took satisfaction in ensuring the happiness and comfort of those she loved. Alice enjoyed the good company of many friends and never stopped making new ones.
She had a wonderful love of life and possessed a gorgeous sense of humor. She loved jokes and loved telling them. She played pranks, but always as a gentle bit of fun. She was a comedienne at heart and an unabashed performer, who liked getting your attention and making you smile. She never failed to try her best to make life a little better for others. She succeeded more that she ever knew.
Alice is loved and remembered by her children, Robert B. (Veronica) Ramer of Dunedin, FL and Mark D. (Patricia) Ramer of Brentwood, TN; five grandchildren, Michelle P. (Mia) Ramer of St. Paul, MN, Andrew J. (Kiley) Ramer of Chatham, IL, Kurt M. Ramer of Cincinnati, OH, Eric M. (Kelly) Ramer of Floral City, FL and Eva M. Ramer of Birmingham, AL; a niece, Jule A. (Paul) Weseman and a nephew, Robert D. Travers of Lockport, N.Y., along with many other extended family members and the many friends that blessed her life. A memorial service is being planned for a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate any donations to be made “In Memory of Alice J. Ramer” to Willowbrook Hospice Memorial Fund, 235 Noah Drive, Suite 300, Franklin, TN 37064.
To leave a note or share a memory with Alice’s family, please sign the online guestbook.
