Obituary of Agnes Christine Ramsey

July 8, 1923 – Oyen, Alberta

January 17, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

 

Agnes Christine “Chris” Ramsey (neé Bakke) was born in Oyen, AB, on July 8, 1923, and passed away in Calgary, AB, on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at the age of 100 years.

 

Chris’ parents, Edwin and Alma Bakke, emigrated from Norway to Canada to farm the wide-open prairies with the promise of a better life. Brothers Harold and Einar, and sister Evelyn, soon followed. Those years were challenging; Mom and all the kids helped at home, in the fields, and in the barn. In her teens, she worked as the overnight telephone operator (“Number Please”), gleaning interesting tidbits about the going-ons in Oyen. Mom was an excellent student, and after graduating high school, she moved to Calgary to study at Henderson College of Business. While at Henderson, she joined Alpha Iota Sorority, which introduced her to lifelong girlfriends. The sorority gals and Central Methodist Church Young People’s group were the nexus of her social life during and after the war years. She was especially fond of dancing, and her face lit up when she talked about evenings spent at Penley’s Ballroom. Mom was the Sweetheart of the Sorority in 1947, and in 1948, she ran for Calgary Stampede Queen. We can’t understand why she didn’t win.

 

In 1949, Mom married Everett Albertson, who was serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force. They enjoyed the first couple of years of marriage exploring Canada while living on bases in Alberta, Ontario, and Manitoba. Their daughter, Mariellen, was born in 1952. Tragically, Everett was killed in an accident the following year.

 

With Everett’s passing, Mom and Mariellen moved back to Calgary to be closer to family. Mom quickly found work, purchased her own house, and later bought a car; this was quite a feat for a woman in the 1950s. In 1955 she enrolled in AMA driving lessons. Her teacher was Duncan Ramsey, and apparently, he liked her driving style because they were married in 1956. Their first daughter, Julie, was born in 1957, followed by Janine in 1961.

 

Mom reluctantly sold her car not too long after she married Duncan (and smartly socked that money away), keeping herself busy by running the home, caring for three girls, cooking, sewing, and volunteering with the Sorority.

 

Mom loved to hit the open road. In the 60s and 70s, the family trailer was hauled thousands of miles, and she was happy to share the driving. She was renowned for her lead foot and ability to effortlessly back the trailer into small campsites using only mirrors.

 

In about 1972, Mom returned to the working world. Duncan sadly passed away in 1975, and again, she pivoted, reacquainting with old friends from the sorority and Central United Church, and joyously spoiling each of her seven granddaughters. She also loved to shop and had exquisite taste in clothes and shoes. After a lifetime of being careful with money, she relished being able to buy beautiful things.

 

Mom’s favoured form of travel shifted from cars to Caribbean cruises and airplanes. There were treasured visits to Norway to spend time with her cousins, aunts, and uncles on the family farm.

 

Mom continued to work part-time until she was about 80. She was active in UCW, the Central United Church Prayer group, knitting and crochet groups, and her condo and retirement residence associations. She used her Mac computer until 2020, when she began to slow down.

 

In 2021, Mom moved to Cambridge Manor, where she was loved and cared for by the compassionate staff, many of whom called her Mama Christine. We are so grateful for the tender care provided by Cambridge Manor. Dementia took its toll, but Mom never once complained and always greeted every visitor with a bright smile.

 

Mom was predeceased by her parents, Edwin, and Alma Bakke; brothers, Harold Bakke and Einar Bakke; husband Everett Albertson, husband Duncan Ramsey, son-in-law Darcy Hutchinson, special brother-in-law Bill Moorhead, and many precious family members and friends. She is survived by beloved sister and best friend Evelyn Moorhead, daughters, Mariellen (Mick) Henriksen, Julie Hutchinson (Ted Gard), and Janine (Geoff) Maffett; seven granddaughters, (Megan (Mark) McQuiston, April Hutchinson, Alana (Jeff) Riedl, Bre Hutchinson (Cyril Kaderabek), Dana (Ryan) McFarlane, Chrissy Spendiff, and Erin (Brad) Henriksen-Ireland; thirteen great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and other family members who remained close to her heart.

 

We, her daughters, feel blessed to have been raised by a mother who met innumerable challenges and tragedies with grace, a positive attitude, a deep faith, and an independent spirit. We hope we can live up to the example you provided, Mom.

 

The family will hold a Memorial Service in the spring.

 

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made in Chris’ name directly to The Calgary Humane Society, 4455 – 110th Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2C 2T7, Telephone: (403)205-4455, www.calgaryhumane.ca., Central United Church, 131 – 7th Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB, https://centralchurch.ca/donate/, or to the Veteran’s Food Bank, 4303 26 St NE #114, Calgary, AB T1Y 7K2, (403) 277-8387, https://veteransfoodbankalberta.ca/donate.

 

Rest in peace, sweet Christine. “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die:” Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

 

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Chris’ family here.

 

In living memory of Christine Ramsey, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Heritage, 1708 – 16th Avenue NW, Calgary, AB, T2M 0L7, Telephone: 403-299-0100.