Joan Elizabeth Ferris Ramage

Joan Elizabeth Ramage 82, died on Monday, November 18, 2013 at her home in Cary. Joan was born and raised in her beloved hometown, San Francisco, California on December 17, 1930, the daughter of Lydia and Frank Ferris. A child of the Great Depression, Joan and her late husband Don raised three sons during their United States Foreign Service postings in Iran, Belgium, Australia, and Washington DC, and for the last two decades lived a happy retirement in Cary.

Joan Ramage was a selfless daughter, mother, grandmother, spouse, friend, and companion to all who knew and loved her. She exhibited a quiet yet immense sense of dignity, compassion, and kindness. Joan lived her life by example, showing respect to others and welcoming diversity in all forms.

Joan is survived by her family, Mark Fraser and wife Adrienne of Fairfax, Virginia, Scott Fraser and wife Kathleen of Cary, Douglas Edward, of Jakarta, Indonesia, with Richard Howard of Bangkok, Thailand; and her four grandchildren, Christopher, Stephen, Helen, and Harry.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Ramage, with whom she shared a warm and loving marriage of over 54 years, and her brother Frank.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 22 at 2:00 pm at the Glenaire Retirement Community in Cary, followed by inurnment at the Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church of Cary at 3:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Joan’s memory to Hospice of Wake County (www.hospiceofwake.org ) or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (www.pancan.org).