Deborah Dow Ramsey, cherished family, friends
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Deborah Dow Ramsey, a beloved mother, grandmother, wife, sister, daughter, and friend, who peacefully left us Monday, March 10, 2025. She was surrounded by her loving family, just as she had always been throughout her life.
Born Jan. 14, 1956, in Wilmington, to Dorothy Hazel Dow and Stuart H. Dow, Debi was a proud descendant of the Dow family, a lineage rooted in generations of resilience, strength, and community leadership. Her paternal great-uncle, James Henry Hazel, was the former lieutenant governor of Delaware, and her paternal great-grandfather, Charles Fryer, was the benefactor of Fryer Library Museum in Philadelphia. Deborah's maternal great-grandfather, Alexander Daley, helped form the Federal Trade Commission by appointment of President Woodrow Wilson and served as the commission's first attorney. She was also the great-great-granddaughter of William Lloyd, founder of the Union League Club of Philadelphia.
Debi lived a life filled with love, family, and joy. She dedicated herself wholeheartedly to her family, finding happiness in simple moments—beach days, bedtime stories, warm hugs, boat rides, King’s ice cream trips, and words of encouragement that shaped the lives of those she loved.
She is survived by her loving husband, Kevin A. Ramsey; her brother and best friend, John H. Dow; her greatest pride and joy, her children, Alexis Dow Whitcomb (Lance), Dr. Blythe Burton-Teed (Jim), John “Tyler” Teed (Michelle); stepdaughter, Claire Turner (Taylor); her cherished grandchildren, Skylar Dow Mathews (Hop), Georgia King, Lucy King, Landon Whitcomb, Hudson Whitcomb, Annabel Burton-Pickles, James “Oliver” Teed, Lillian Turner, Harlo Turner, Aspen Malasky and Brecka Malasky; her beloved mother-in-law, Ruth Ramsey; her sisters, Regina Marlow and Rebecca Jackman; her brother, Stuart Dow; and her faithful dog, Buoy.
Debi poured her heart and soul into raising a family that reflected her warmth, generosity, and commitment to making life fun. Whether it was celebrating milestones, giving comfort in times of need, or offering wise advice, Debi was always there with open arms and a loving heart for all of “my people.” If you were one of Debi’s people, there was never a doubt in your mind that you were loved. She had a special relationship with each of her grandchildren and seemed to have an unlimited capacity to make them each feel like the center of her world.
Beyond her family, she touched many lives with her charisma and warmth. Her friends were like a second family to her, providing much laughter and love through the years. She was a beloved member of Lewes High School’s Class of 1974, where her “class clown” status remained intact until the end. She also cherished her boating life and the “B dock” community whom she and Kevin adored. She marks that as one of the happiest eras of her life. She had a gift for making friends (often just with the person behind the register at the store), and her heart was always open to those in need of love, comfort, or simply a like on their Facebook post.
Her beauty was radiant both inside and out, and she was awarded the crown for Miss Delaware National Teenager (1972), Miss Delmarva (1973), and Mrs. Delaware America (1985). She went on to be an honored judge for several decades for Miss Delaware and Mrs. Delaware pageants.
In 1983, she bought the home of her dreams (912 Savannah Road) and raised her three children there with love, laughter, and just enough crazy to keep things fun. There wasn’t a weekend that went by that her children’s friends (whom, until her last days, she cherished) weren’t also there to enjoy the merriment. She chaperoned mischief night shenanigans, threw events like her famous “everyone welcome” post-parade chili and chocolate cake party after the annual Lewes Christmas Parade, and participated in the annual antics at the July 4th Doo-Dah Parade each summer.
Debi adored summertime when her children and grandchildren would arrive for weeks filled with back porch BBQs, days at the beach, and trips to Funland. These were some of the happiest times of her life. She always said she was “blessed beyond measure” with the greatest family and dearest friends.
Though Debi’s greatest, proudest, and most cherished accomplishments were her three children, while she raised them, she also managed the family properties, then, later, began a long career in real estate followed briefly by fulfilling a lifelong dream to “fly the friendly skies.” She also began and ran the I Love Lewes group on Facebook for over a decade.
After she retired, Debi bought her boat and turned her attention to her beloved sea. She was lucky enough to dock in the charming Southport, N.C., where she met and then married the love of her life, Kevin Ramsey. She always referred to him as “the kindest man she had ever known.” She got to spend her final years enjoying the sweet life of southern coastal living with rocking chairs on porches, evening boat rides, and sunsets that took her breath away.
She also supported the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society charity, helping to organize Light the Night, and participated in walkathons for Chiari and Sjogren’s charities.
Debi/Mama/Grammie will be dearly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her. Her legacy of love, laughter, and devotion will live on in our hearts forever.
The family has named two stars in her honor. The “Grammie” star is visible in the summer night sky in the Libra constellation, while the “Mama Bear” star is visible in the winter night sky just over the shoulder of Orion the Hunter. Give her a wave when you see her. She and Orion will be watching over all whom she knew and loved, and she will remain a guiding light in our hearts forever.
A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, March 22, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Lewes, preceded by a visitation at 12:30 p.m., with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Debi’s honor be made to Lower Cape Fear Life Care Hospice House or Delaware Hospice. Debi also requested that her loved ones swing by King’s Ice Cream and walk over to say “hi” every once in a while. Her remains will be interred in the columbarium in the St. Peter’s churchyard under the virtue Grace.
Online condolences may be made at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com.
Arrangements by Peacock - Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service, Southport, N.C.
