Mary Ellen (Knott) Ramsdell, of Stockbridge, age 81, passed away on October 25, 2023 at Provision Living of Canton. She was born on September 26, 1942 in Ann Arbor, Michigan the daughter of Hubert and Ellen L. (Smith) Knott.
She spent the first five years of her life in Munith, before moving to Stockbridge for five years, and then moving to a dairy farm in Munith. She won a blue ribbon for her cow, Phyllis, at the Ingham County Fair. Mary Ellen graduated from Stockbridge High School in 1960 as the Valedictorian of her class. In high school, she was active in band, glee club, debate, yearbook, Girls State, and she won the Betty Crocker Homemaker Award.
Mary Ellen graduated from the University of Michigan in 1963 and promptly went to work as a teacher at Ypsilanti High School, followed by Lamphere High School in Madison Heights, before raising her children and becoming a full time parent. As the kids reached high school age, Mary Ellen returned to teaching at New Haven High School, where she taught English and French.
Mary Ellen married Richard Ramsdell on June 19, 1964 in Munith, MI, and they had two children, Martha Christine and Catherine Mary. Mary Ellen and Richard lived in Ypsilanti, Madison Heights, Royal Oak, Romeo, and Stockbridge. During this period, Mary Ellen was active in various church and community activities, and choir. She had a beautiful voice and very much enjoyed singing in her barbershop quartet in Romeo, MI. She also enjoyed reading and gardening.
Mary Ellen is survived by her husband of 59 years, Richard Ramsdell; her daughters, Martha (Gary) Vartanoff, Catherine (Stephen Boller) Ramsdell; three siblings, Raymond (Penny) Knott, Evelyn Hoth, Norman (Tammy) Knott, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister-in-law, Denise Knott, and brother-in-law, William Hoth.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2023, 11:00 a.m., at the First Presbyterian Church of Stockbridge with Rev. Dr. Deborah J. Smith officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Stockbridge. Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home.
