Ramona Harlem

Born in 1928, Ramona Prevost Harlem passed away on June 4, 2024 at the age of 95.

She was born in Peru, NY the daughter of Lauretta (Pat) LaBarge and Herwood Prevost.

She had three (3) sisters, Patricia Maynard, Mary Lou Lynch (James), Sally Ryan (Larry), who all predeceased her and one (1) brother, Richard Prevost (Mary Ellen) who survives.

She was married to Robert A. Harlem on August 27, 1949 at St. Mary’s church in Champlain, NY.  They divorced in 1972.  

She has two (2) sons, Robert, Jr. (Bobbie) of Venice, FL and Richard (Debra) of Oneonta, NY.  She has four (4) daughters, Ramona Palermo (Rick) of Sarasota, Fl; Rebecca Lloyd (Jack) of South Glens Falls, NY; Ruth Ehrets (Frank Vergari) of Oneonta, NY; Rosemary Harlem Wood (Woody) of Sarasota, FL.  

She has eight (8) grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and a large extended family.  

Ramona graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in 1945.  Then, she entered Nursing School as a Cadet Nurse in the fall of 1945, graduating in 1948 from Champlain Valley Hospital School of Nursing.  During the early years of her marriage, she worked at Albany Medical Center at night and took care of her son, Bob, during the day while Bob Sr. attended law school.  

She practiced Nursing in many areas:  she did private duty nursing;  she specialized in chest and brain cases in the Albany area;  and also worked at Fox Hospital in Oneonta as a medical nurse.  

In the 1970’s, she returned to college and earned her BS in Nursing.  Then she worked as a School Nurse Teacher.  Subsequently, she earned her Master’s Degree.  

In the late 1970’s, she transitioned to nursing for the Department of Corrections, working at Dannemora Correctional Facility and then Cape Vincent Correctional Facility, eventually retiring as a Nurse Supervisor in 1991.  

After retiring, she worked as a volunteer for several non-profit groups, including Hospice, worked as an Ombudsman, volunteered at the Senior Center, read to elementary school children, etc.  She also assisted seniors and indigents with their income taxes for many years.  

She enjoyed playing duplicate bridge and earned the designation of “Life Master” in 1995!  She traveled extensively, often to find a Duplicate Bridge tournament, but also with friends and family.  She sailed on the Queen Elizabeth II, visited the Grand Canyon, Alaska, Antarctica, Bermuda, the Panama Canal, Prince Edward Island, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, The Netherlands, France, as well as many states!

Family was very important to mom.  She took her grandchildren on trips, allowed them to eat cake for breakfast (something she would NEVER allow her children to eat!), had a keen sense of when her children might need a little extra support, and spent the Christmas holidays with her children (and their father and his spouse) and their families - displaying a picture of grace.  

She was a stay-at-home mom for the majority of her 23-year marriage.  Chores were assigned (even to cousins when they visited!) and the work was inspected!  She was most proud of having 6 children who are all good citizens and contribute to the benefit of society!  (This obituary was written by mom - with only minor edits - as part of her training to prepare her for volunteer work with Hospice patients.)  

Mom was one-of-a-kind!  She was kind, generous, supportive, at times determined and outspoken, but always had good intentions.  We endured a very long good-bye together.  We love you mom.  Rest easy.  You’ve earned that.   

Services will be held at St. Mary’s Church, 39 Walnut Street, Oneonta, NY on July 12, 2024 at 10 am, followed by a reception to celebrate Ramona’s life at the Carriage House, 790 Southside Drive, Oneonta, NY.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association; Family Service Association of Oneonta, 277 Chestnut Street, Oneonta, NY 13820; or the charity of your choice.   

https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=51079&51079.donation=form1&mfc_pref=T&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_campaign=giving_google_SL&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwyJqzBhBaEiwAWDRJVFbfYOQR5I4mr02YeeQGjL6dFo7pQW2asgF54A6mKNnrUjjDv2MSPhoC_ncQAvD_BwE

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