Joan Thompson Ramsay, 90, went home to be with the Lord on February 2, 2014 surrounded by her family.  Joan was a loving, devoted wife to William F. Ramsay II and a loving, caring mother to William F. Ramsay III of Newtown, PA, Gail Ramsay of Princeton, NJ, Ellen Ramsay of Paoli, PA, and a sweet friend to all who knew her.

Joan was born in Northeast Philadelphia on October 30, 1923 to Frederick and Helen Thompson and had three siblings, Millicent, Frederick and Gerald. She graduated from Little Flower High School and worked in her aunt’s salon as a hairdresser. She enlisted in the US Navy and served her country during World War II as a Navy Wave.  Of this she was very proud.  After the war, she met and married her true love, Bill Ramsay, and had three children. They were happily married only 29 years before Joan became a widow in the early 80’s.

While married, Joan and Bill lived in Bala Cynwyd and were members of the Cynwyd Club for many years. An avid sports lover and spectator, there was nothing she enjoyed more than watching tennis and squash, especially if her children were playing – and they were always playing! When she wasn’t at the Club, you would probably find her at home reading a mystery novel – her favorite genre, or spending time with her daughter Ellen, her devoted companion and friend.  Joan had a chuckle in her voice, loved to laugh and had an enormous heart. She was always willing and looking for ways to help, unselfishly putting the needs of others before her own.  She was a gracious hostess and loved having people “stay over”.  She took care of her mother, Helen Thompson, for several years until she died in 2000 at 101 years of age. In 1984, Joan moved from Bala Cynwyd to Malvern. In 2000 she moved again to nearby Paoli, and in March of 2012 moved to Highgate at Paoli Pointe, where she last resided.

Joan is survived by her three loving children and daughter-in-law (Vicki), her brother, Gerald Thompson, his wife, Madeline, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

A service will be held to celebrate Joan’s life on Sunday, March 23, at 4:00 p.m. at Narberth Presbyterian Church, 205 Grayling Avenue, Narberth, PA 19072.

If you would like to make a donation in her memory, please donate to the Veterans Association of America, Inc., P.O. Box 309 Audubon Station, New York, NY 10032-0309 (www.vetsaa.org).