Mary Jane Ferris Ramsey was a 4th generation Floridian, born in Orlando to James Stephen and Angeline Ferris. As a lady whose Catholic faith was a central pillar of her life, she attended daily masses at St. James Catholic Cathedral, where she was a lifelong member.
As a child, Mary Jane’s father had a beach house in New Smyrna Beach, and her visits there solidified her love of the ocean. She enjoyed walks on the beach and swimming through the waves both as a child and into her adult life.
Mary Jane attended St. James Catholic School and Bishop Moore High School before spending time in a variety of different occupations, all while continuing to support her church and her community through volunteer efforts.
She was Lay Carmelite (Third Order Carmelite) in the Order of the Brothers and Sisters of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel since November of 1992, and made her lifelong profession in November of 1994. She was also a member of the Orlando Area Historical Rose Society, which would meet at Leu Gardens.
Her mother’s side of the family was Italian and imparted a range of cooking skills, not the least of which was her homemade lasagna that was often served at family gatherings within her home in College Park Florida, where she lived for 53 years and raised four children. She always saved carefully, ensuring she could send her children to St. James Catholic School, which was very important to her. She was known to cook a hybrid of Italian dishes, and incorporate aspects of southern cooking as well to create delicious feasts for her children and her extended family.
Despite not allowing pets in the house, later in her life she befriended a local neighborhood cat that won her heart and kept her company.
During her life, she volunteered her time selflessly, never wavered from her Catholic faith, and traveled across the world, including trips to The Vatican City in Rome with her children. She is survived by her four children: Robert Stephen, James Michael, Angela, and Dottie, along with her brother, John Ferris, and his wife Marilyn. She was also deeply loved by her 6 grandchildren, one of whom, Angel, passed away far too soon. She was also a loving grandmother to 5 great-grandchildren.
Mary Jane was a loving mother, a devoted grandmother, and a beacon of light to all those she came into contact with. She may be gone from this world, but her memory will live on within all the people who had the privilege to know her. Gone, but never forgotten. Safe and sound in the arms of her savior, until we meet again.
The Mass of Christian burial will be held at Saint James Catholic Cathedral with Father Marquez officiating on Monday, August 2, 2021 at 10:00am. Visitation and a scriptural rosary led by the Lay Carmelites will be held prior to the funeral service from 9:00-10:00am. The family invites everyone to a light lunch following the funeral service. Internment at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum will be at 2:00pm.
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