Ramage

Helen A. Ramage, 85, formerly of West Sunbury Road, died Wednesday at the Saxony Health Center after a long illness.

Born Aug. 17, 1922, in Butler, she was the daughter of Michael and Sadie Said Hamder of North Elm Street.

She was a 1940 graduate of Butler High School, where she was an honor student.

She was married to Herbert Ramage from Nov. 30, 1944, until his passing July 11, 1987.

Helen was a loving, kind and devoted mother, grandmother, mother-in-law and friend. She loved cooking and baking and shared freely her talent in these areas.

Helen had worked for her sister, Mary Meliotes, at Peter's Chocolate Shop for years; and for her brother, Joe Hamder, who refinished mannequins for J.C. Penney.

A religious woman, she attended Mass daily and held a deep devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help. She placed roses weekly at the altar of the St. Paul Church to honor the Blessed Virgin. She was a lifelong member of St. Peter's Catholic Church.

Surviving are a son, Herbert G. Ramage and his wife, Mary Ann, of Butler; a grandson, Ryan M. Ramage, also of Butler; and a number of nieces and nephews she held dear.

Along with her husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Ann Dewerth and Mary Meliotes; and four brothers, John, Fred, Joe "S.J." and Peter Hamder.

Helen will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her. The measure of her life can be summed up in the quotation by William Penn, "I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now . Let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again."

<B>RAMAGE </B>—<B> </B>Friends of Helen A. Ramage, who died Wednesday, April 23, 2008, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, 201 E. Cunningham St. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at the St. Peter Roman Catholic Church with the Rev. Pierre Falkenhan officiating. Burial will follow at the St. Peter Cemetery.The Women's Council of St. Peter will recite the rosary at 9:40 a.m. Saturday at the church.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Butler County Humane Society, 1015 Evans City Road Renfrew, PA 16053.Information also is available at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.