Anne Emilia Ramos Colón
December 9, 1932 - September 8, 2024
ASSOCIATE COMMITMENT: November 16, 1985
It is with great sadness to announce that Anne Emilia Ramos Colón, the wife of the late Ferdinand Joseph Colón, died peacefully on the Nativity of Mary September 8, 2024 at New York Presbyterian Westchester Hospital surrounded by her family and dear friends.
Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico on December 9, 1932, she was the daughter of Enrique and Maria Luisa (Santiago) Ramos. Ana Emilia came to New York when she was 12 years old with her sister Dorcas, who was 17, in June 1945. They resided at 919 Kelly Street in the Bronx. Being one of nine children, she attended public grammar school and public high school. She and her entire family became members of St. Athanasius Church in the Bronx. Anne was very involved with Catholic groups like the Christian Family Movement and the Young Christian Workers and it was there that she met the loves of her life, Ferdinand (Fred) and his young son, Fred Jr.
On April 26, 1958, Anne and Ferdinand (Fred) were united in marriage at St. Athanasius Church. Together they found a long, lasting friendship, raised a family and built a beautiful marriage of 61 years. They had four children, Ferdinando (Freddy), Joseph (Joey), Anne Marie and Elizabeth (Liz). They were also blessed with beautiful grandchildren, Shawn, Rachel, Dinah, Justin, Isabella and Kara as well as great grandchildren, Noa Lily, Eden Sophia and Shai David. Anne and Fred instilled an atmosphere of Faith, Hope and Love. This God given Love overflowed to many, often times they opened their home to those without homes for inclusion as family. Anne shared great respect to the dignity of those she met on the street, sharing what she had. This “present to the moment” person found friends among many. For the final decades of her life faithful friend to Mary and Jo-Anne.
Anne was a woman of great Love for God and for others, manifested in her personal prayer life and communally in daily Mass and Prayer Groups. The fruit of God’s Love for her poured forth in her generosity in serving in the Catholic Parishes where she worshipped especially St. Athanasius, St. Nicholas of Tolentine in the Bronx, where with her husband Fred began the Hispanic Ministry, Gift Shop and Prayer Group. She offered her gifts of prayer, worship, and positive presence at St. John the Baptist in Yonkers and St. Mary’s in Mt. Vernon. Anne served as a Eucharistic Minister, Catechist and Lector. She loved music and shared her gift of joy and song spontaneously and within various settings. As a Lay Associate Member of the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt, NY, Anne offered her gifts of spirituality and generosity in retreat work, joyful presence and fundraising support. She was the first of Associate members in 1985 and also was in leadership in Hispanic Outreach in Contemplative and Centering Prayer.
Anne worked as an accountant in various parishes in the Bronx and in her career in Manhattan, the Bronx and White Plains. She loved her work and co-workers and assisted those in need of her gifts from home, always making an impression of her deep relationship with God.
This wonder-filled Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mom, Grandma, Nana and Friend suffered intense physical pain in the final decades of her life. She met suffering with the Grace and Presence of God and her own sense of sacrifice to assist her through these hours, days and years. She added a great slice of humor on good and difficult days and shared that gift with those who were privileged to be with her. May she know the embrace of God and our continued embrace of memories and presence and may she know ours.
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