Ramsammy, Helen Louise, 91, of Gainesville, passed away Monday, May 27th, 2013 at the V.A. Medical Center in Lake City. Helen was born in Council bluff, Iowa on February 9, 1922.
She received her BA from St. Olaf College in 1944 and enrolled in the Emergency course for Occupational Therapists and was assigned to the Army and Navy General Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She was stationed there until 1947. In 1948 Helen joined the Army Medical Specialist Corp as a Lieutenant where she served until 1952 when she received her honorable discharge. In 1964, Helen accepted the position as Chief Occupational Therapist at the United States Public Health Service Hospital in Carville, LA. In 1966, she joined the Commissioned Corps of the United States, which is the uniformed service that is totally medically oriented. Helen was awarded the Commendation Medal of the United States Public Health Service for exemplary performance of duty and retired with the rank of Captain (06) in 1982.
Helen retired to Gainesville where she is a member of Abiding Savior Lutheran Church. She is a member of the choir and attended Bible study groups and senior activities. She has been a volunteer teacher of English as a second language.
Helen is survived by her husband Samuel Ramsammy, a son Steven Wood of Fayetteville, AR and a daughter Stephanie Vignutti of Jacksonville, FL, 3 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, May 31st, 2013 at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, 9700 W. Newberry Rd., at 4:00pm. There will be a visitation of Thursday evening from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Forest Meadows Funeral Home.
Helen will be missed greatly. She was a wonderful Christian. My prayers are with Sammy and her entire family for their loss.
May 30, 2013
Why is it that people come into our lives?
When I met Helen I was new to Abiding Savior & singing in a choir. Her gentile way and friendly smile made me comfortable…she was my “partner” in the alto section and helped me keep up. We became friends despite the age difference. What age difference? She was more young & vibrant than most! I was drawn in by her interest in ALL things. This is what endeared her to my children too. Aaron & Olivia will always remember her as “Heleny-Weleny” the cool lady who showed them interesting new games & shared her stories of travel with them when she baby sat. Helen travelled to visit us once in KY & once in TX…she always was an inspiration to explore our new home…Berea College, KY & Houston Art Museum! What fun we had singing silly songs to her about her name, “Ramsammy”. 🙂
Her postcards and letters from her travels were treasured as well as the fascinating little gifts she brought from those adventures of hers.
Her faith, vigor for life and friendship made my life more complete & interesting. I am a better person for it!
Sadly we lost touch over the last few years…I pray that sweet Helen did not suffer in any way.
Our family grieves with you Sammy over the loss of a great lady but we rejoice in knowing that “Heleny-Weleny” is at rest in our Savior’s arms.
— Rose Kepler, Westerville, Ohio
Sam,
Your Carville Family mourns the loss of Helen. She served honorably and the patients appreciated her expertise and kindness. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
John Figarola, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Our deepest condolences to you Uncle Sam and family. May God grant you the strength and courage to cope during this difficult time. I pray that you will find hope in God’ s promise that He would not give us more than we can handle. Auntie Helen will be missed. Our love, support and prayers are with you.
We will miss grandma helen very much we love her so much well she made us laugh and smile she is always full with joy and happy always . God will bless her and love her Jesus is always there for her and I miss her all the time well farewell grandma love u very much love Rachel ramsamuj your granddaughter
Oh Helen how very sorry I am that I was never able to visit you in Florida. I think of you so very often. All the good times we had in your “Carville Days” are wonderful memories.. How much you taught me both professionally and personally. Your respectful attitude, imaginative approaches, cheerful personality, skill and expertise you demonstrated as a clinician have been inspirational to me. I am sorry I never got to know Sam but happy to have met him. I will miss you along with your many friends, colleagues, and family. My very deep sympathy and condolences to them all. My thoughts are with you forever,
Susan L. Smith, OTR
A great loss to all mankind. Eight great years working along side of Helen was a true honor. A true professional and one of the most caring and fun loving person I had the pleasure of knowing.
Sammy, God bless.