Obituary
Ruthann Ramsey, 89, passed away peacefully on April 17, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada. She was born on February 20, 1936, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Frances Harriet Roberts and Clarence Theodore “Buck” Liebi. In 1942, her life changed when her mother married Jack Lucania, who lovingly became her “Daddy,” and Ruthann proudly took his name.
Ruthann graduated from Northeast High School in 1954. A blind date on Valentine’s Day in 1960 introduced her to the love of her life, Richard D. Ramsey. Their connection was instant, and by September 17 of that same year, they were married. Ruthann and Dick built a life rooted in love, laughter, and deep devotion to one another—a bond that remained strong throughout their 59 years of marriage. Ruthann adored Dick with her whole heart, and their partnership was a true and lasting example of love.
Family was the center of Ruthann’s world. She was deeply involved in the lives of her daughters—Linda, Raven, and Dawn—cheering them on at music and dance performances, throwing unforgettable birthday parties, and, in one spirited moment, even backing her car through the junior high library window. Her love for family only grew as the next generation came along. Ruthann and Dick were proud grandparents who showed up for every important moment they could—school performances, birthday parties, graduations, weddings, and everything in between. They traveled often between Kansas City and Las Vegas to visit Dawn and her family, never letting distance keep them from being part of their grandchildren’s lives.
Ruthann and Dick shared a love of adventure, traveling across six continents together during their lifetime. Among all the incredible places they visited, China remained Ruthann’s favorite, and she never lost her dream of one day seeing Egypt. No matter where they went—whether halfway around the world or just across the country—they had a gift for making friends wherever they landed, turning strangers into companions over meals, tours, and laughter. They were known for occasionally pushing the envelope when it came to following the rules during their travels, but it was always in the spirit of fun and living life to the fullest. Their humor, curiosity, and sense of mischief made every trip an adventure, and created stories that will be told for generations.
At home, Ruthann showed her love through food. She was a talented cook who believed that no gathering was too small for a feast. Even the simplest get-together could turn into a full spread when Ruthann was involved. She often made dishes passed down from her Italian grandmother, filling the table with rich, comforting meals that carried generations of tradition. She never missed an opportunity to celebrate with great food—whether it was a hearty family dinner or baking a lemon poppy seed cake for someone’s birthday. Sharing a meal was one of her favorite ways to bring people together, and her kitchen was always a place of warmth, laughter, and second helpings.
Ruthann was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Frances and Jack Lucania, and her devoted husband, Dick Ramsey. She is survived by her cherished cat Jackson; her daughters, Linda Malotte, Raven (Andy) Cooper, and Dawn (David) Burns; her seven grandchildren Mark (Alyse) Anderson, Kyle (Morgan) Cooper, Kelsey (Joe) Flanigan, Stephen Anderson, Ryan (Courtney) Cooper, Emma (Beau) Capanna, and Wren Cooper; nine great-grandchildren and several others whose lives she touched over the years.