LYDIA MARIA RAMOS TORRES

      Lydia Maria Ramos Torres, passed away on March 19, 2023 at Comfort Care Nursing Home in Whiting, N.J. She was born on September 14, 1922 in Guayanilla, Puerto Rico. Lydia was predeceased by her husband of 45 years, Manuel Ramos (deceased 1991). Also predeceased by daughter, Carmen Ward (deceased 2016, Andy Ward deceased 2021). She is survived by her remaining 4 children: Manuel Ramos (Diane), Aris Kellner (Richard R. Kellner), Jose Ramos, (Michelle), and Carlos Ramos. She was the loving grandmother of seven Grandchildren; Cortney Ward, Kyle Ward, Gabrielle Atkins (Brian Atkins), Alice Nicole Goodman Kellner, Teresa Anderson, Kyle Ward, Amanda McCuiston (Ben McCuiston),William Ramos. Also loving Great Grandmother of Richard Goodman, Quinn Atkins, Robert Goodman and Hayley Atkins.

     Lydia lost her father early in her life due to tuberculosis and she along with her two brothers were raised by their school teacher mother. Early in her life she was recruited into the medical field, earning her degree as a Registered Nurse in order to fill a shortage of nurses and medical care givers in Puerto Rico. This shortage was accentuated by the poverty on the island and injured WWII soldiers returning home.

     Lydia and Manuel were married on November 24,1946 in Santurce, P.R. and her life was one of dedication as a Military Wife, Registered Nurse and Mother. She traveled overseas following her husband’s deployments. She ventured to various countries in Europe with her husband and five children learning the language and culture of places when she arrived. During this time she was always employed as a nurse both on and off military bases.

     In 1965 she and her family were transferred to Fort Dix, NJ and she was employed at Walson Army Hospital as a Registered Nurse until her retirement.

     She and her husband settled in Browns Mills, N.J. in 1971. They were active in their community assisting in the formation and governance of the Spanish American Social Cultural Association (SASCA) 501C3 of which she was the Chairperson for many years. SASCA helped to educate and assimilate immigrants into the Burlington County, N.J. area. Lydia was also a founding member of Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Mount Holly, N.J. She remained active in the community and church activities throughout her life.

     Her home was always open to family, extended family and the military community. Even though Lydia and her husband, Manuel found themselves very far from Puerto Rico, they never forgot their family members who continue to live there.

     Relatives and friends of Lydia's family are invited to her viewing and visitation at The Lankenau Funeral Home, 370 Lakehurst Rd., Browns Mills on Friday morning, March 24, 2023 from 9:30 to 10:30 am. The liturgy of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday morning 11:00 am at St. Ann's Church, 22A Trenton Rd., Browns Mills.  Interment following the Mass will be in Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 350 Provinceline Rd., Arneytown, N. Hanover Twp., NJ.

     In lieu of flowers you may wish to send contributions in Lydia's name to:   Iglesia Inmaculada Concepcion de Maria (Lydia's family Church in Puerto Rico), 9 CII Inmaculada Concepcion, Guayanilla, P.R. 00656.  Phone 1-787-835-3035. This is her family church in Puerto Rico which was destroyed by storms and earthquakes a few years ago. The church is a historical structure and the restoration requires that it be returned to its original condition, as much as possible.

     To honor Lydia and her family, we would like you to remember the following from Godspell, a play which contains a song by the title, “Day by Day” released in 1971.

          "Day by Day,

           Dear Lord, of three things I pray:

           To see thee more clearly,

           Love thee more dearly,

           Follow thee more nearly,

           Day by Day.”

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