Cleo J. Ramsdell

Cleo Jean Ramsdell, 73, passed away surrounded by family on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.  Cleo was born in Lubec on March 19, 1951, daughter of Clyde and Dorothy (Gray) Wallace.  

Cleo attended schools in Lubec and Pembroke, and on July 13, 1968, married her high school sweetheart, Gary Ramsdell.  She worked various jobs including at the local sardine factories, Hathaway shirt factory, a shoe factory in Calais, making wreaths, and for Meals for Me.  Cleo was a faithful and active member of the Eastport Full Gospel Church.  She was also a member of the Red Hat Society and enjoyed crafts, sewing, and making flower arrangements.  Her greatest happiness was spending time with her family.

While going for cancer treatments, Cleo met Sarah Robinson.  After hearing Cleo’s story of traveling five hours per day for treatment, Sarah came up with the idea of Sarah’s House of Maine in Holden.   For years, Cleo was active in helping at Sarah’s House of Maine.  

Cleo was predeceased by her father Clyde Wallace; mother Dorothy Wallace and companion Carroll Beane; two sisters, Debbie Wilcox and Linda Leighton; and a brother James Wallace.  Surviving are her husband of 55 years, Gary Ramsdell; two children, Penny DeAtley and husband Terry of Culpeper, VA, and Gary Ramsdell Jr. and wife Shelly of Perry; three granddaughters, Mikayla and Brianna DeAtley, and Lindsey Ramsdell; a sister Cindy Joyce and husband Jeff of Robbinston; brother-in-law Basil Leighton of Pembroke; sisters-in-law, Patty Ramsdell of Bradley, and Katie Ramsdell of Eastport; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and half-siblings; and her feline companion Patches.