Obituary of Patricia Lynn Ramirez

Patricia Lynn Ramirez of Sterling, Virginia, passed away on Sunday, November 12, 2017 at the age of ​66 from cancer.  She ​was ​born on March 12, 1951 in Uniontown, Pennsylvania to the Reverend Ralph Hibbitt and Florence Wallace Hibbitt.  She is survived by relatives; Uncle Robert Hussa, Aunt Marion Hussa, Uncle Ken Wallace, Aunt Evelyn Wallace, Aunt Peggy Wallace, Aunt Betty Wallace, Uncle Peyton Hibbitt, many cousins; former husband Carlos Ramirez, dear friends, and her beloved cat Moto (now in the care of a trusted friend).  Pat lived in Williamstown, New Jersey until 1959 when ​the family moved to New York City. She attended elementary school and junior high in the borough of Brooklyn in New York City.  ​She​ was very active in drama and musicals. Her first role was the lead role of "Julie" in Carousel in junior high school.  She later attended John F. Kennedy High School and joined the Dramatic Arts Society​, participating in many plays. Pat graduated from high school in 1969, then attended Paterson State Teachers College and Nyack Bible College.  Pat worked with the ​U.S. Department of Defense for three years while living in Germany. She also worked as a legal assistant in several ​area law ​firms.  In 1989​, Pat began working for the​ Home School Legal Defense Association as assistant to ​President J. Michael Smith, working there until her cancer diagnosis in 2012.  

At the age of 17​, Pat lost her mother​ to cardiac arrest. ​Her dad later married Doris Lloyd​, to whom Pat provided loving care until Doris’ death in 2012.​ Her father served as pastor of Williamstown First Presbyterian Church in Williamstown, New Jersey; Flatbush Presbyterian Church in New York City, New York; and First Presbyterian Church of Ocean City, New Jersey. He passed away in 2001.  Pat missed him sorely. 

Pat loved camping and hiking with her ​d​ad while growing up​, and ​they​ still made annual trips to Colorado, enjoying each other’s company until his death.  She also loved craft fairs, cross-stitching, scrapbooking, and especially Siamese cats. Growing up with Siamese cats led Pat to​ own Siamese cats and ​to ​volunteer with ​Virginia ​Siamese Rescue, fostering over 80 cats in 17 years.  She served in many capacities, including board president, finally resigning due to health issues.  While volunteering with Siamese rescue, Pat made close friends who supported her in many ways during the five years she battled cancer. 

In her early twenties, Pat realized her need for a ​Savior and chose to live her life serving God in a relationship with Jesus.  With her fun- loving nature and many talents including musical abilities, Pat led children's neighborhood Bible clubs and volunteered in many capacities at church.  Because of her decision to follow Christ​, ​we have the comfort of knowing Pat is now rejoicing with Him, her parents, and ​with ​other loved ones in Heaven.  ​She will always be missed by those who loved her and those whom she loved.         

In lieu of flowers​, donations can be made to ​Virginia ​Siamese Rescue ​at va.siameserescue.org/donate

Memorial services will be held on Friday Nov 17th at 11:00am, Church of the Brethren, 11500 Leesburg Pike Herndon, VA 20170