Suzanne
Ramsay Boomhover, the cherished wife of James Boomhover, passed away
surrounded by love and her family on June 7, 2025, after a short
battle with brain cancer. She lived through her brief diagnosis
exactly as she had her previous 60 years: with compassion, empathy
and selflessness. Her diagnosis wasn’t cause for self-pity; it was
an opportunity to embrace those around her, to reassure them that
“things are going to be OK.” She lived with grace and humility;
her purpose was to ensure others were comfortable and cared for, even
if it meant sacrificing those very things for herself.
Born
Suzanne Mary Ramsay on February 24, 1965, Suzanne grew up in Milton,
Vt. Her father, Bruce Porter Ramsay, was a jack of all trades. Bruce
built their family home, tinkered on their cars and maintained the
property. A tomboy at heart, Suzie embraced her chores helping him;
she watched and listened to her father keenly as he taught her
valuable lessons. Suzie was never afraid to get her hands dirty; in
fact, she preferred them that way — it proved the day had been
productive!
Suzie’s
mother, Catherine Coon Ramsay, ensured that the little homestead,
perched on the side of Cobble Hill, was one filled with love and
warmth. Her childhood was filled with memories of her mother
welcoming neighbors, cousins and friends to their home with open
arms. Catherine refused to rest until she knew all the kids had been
cared for and loved and their bellies were full. Her untiring,
instinctive, selfless and gentle mothering was the model on which
Suzanne built her life and her character.
Summers
were spent on the shores of Lake Champlain at the family’s camp on
Eagle Mountain Harbor. Though modest in size, it was nearly always
bursting at the seams with aunts and uncles, cousins and friends
trying to escape the heat and humidity of Vermont summers. Suzie
adored being behind the family boat, carving across the wake on a
single water ski. She never loved being the center of attention,
though, so more often than not, she could be found fishing from her
inner tube, rowing, skipping stones or huddled around a campfire
telling stories and giggling with her favorite people: her brother
and sister, twins Heather and Douglas.
In
1984, Suzanne married her first husband, Brian DuPrat. They quickly
started a family and over a period of five short years welcomed their
children, Dustin, Brittany, Ryan and Adam, into their world of
unconditional love. To be raised by Suzie was a gift; it was a daily
lesson in what it meant to be loved, cherished and made to feel
special. The importance of a work ethic was instilled through daily
chores under the masquerade of spontaneous fun: working in the
garden, mowing the lawn and even grocery shopping were an adventure
when Mom was in charge! Exploring the woods picking berries,
wandering the shore looking for sea-glass and swimming in the lake
helped instill a sense of wonder and appreciation for our
breathtaking state and the outdoors.
Suzie’s
life and passion were her children. They all attended Bellows Free
Academy in Fairfax, where, after years of volunteering in the
classroom, she became a full-time employee. In 2007, after life led
her and her first husband down different paths, it was there that she
met her beloved James. Soon after, Suzie left her position in the
planning room to work alongside Jim in facility and property
management at the school. Jim’s three children, Kristin, Brooke-Ann
and Taylor, were all quickly introduced to Suzie’s own brand of
unwavering love. Terms like “blended family” or “stepchildren”
had little bearing on Suzie; it didn’t matter who you were: If you
were important to and cherished by someone who Suzie loved, then you
were, without question, a beloved and supported child of Suzie’s.
If
Suzie’s passion in life was being a mother, her calling was to be a
“Gram.” Over the course of eleven years, Suzie welcomed 16
incredible grandchildren into her world. She had the privilege of
building unbreakable and unique bonds with each and every one of
them. Her smile was never bigger and her eyes never sparkled brighter
than when she was in the presence of her “grands.” Adventures she
cherished with husband Jim, like camping, going to hockey games and
even vacations in Mexico, were quickly adapted to accommodate their
grandkids. Giggles and shouts of glee always reverberated when Gram
was near, doing puzzles, playing games, sitting around campfires
cooking s’mores or doing her absolute most favorite thing —
teaching kids how to catch a fish.
People
never felt more love than when Suzie was in their life. Her coworkers
at BFA Fairfax, Waterville Elementary School and, most recently,
Burlington Electric Department knew what it was like to be considered
family by Suzie. With her passing, she’s left a hole that is
immeasurable. Those whose lives she touched find solace and comfort
in her memories, love and lessons. She lives on through anyone who
spreads and teaches unconditional love, selflessness and compassion
and isn’t afraid of pitching in and getting their hands dirty.
Suzanne
is survived by her beloved husband, James Boomhover, and dog,
Tootsie; her mother, Catherine Coon Ramsay; her children, Dustin
DuPrat (Kelly), Brittany Barrett (Brian), Ryan DeVinny (Megan), Adam
DuPrat (Katie), Kristin Atherton (Jay), Brooke-Ann McDaniel (Evan),
Taylor Boomhover (Seth); her grandchildren: Harrison, Elizabeth and
Cecile Barrett; Callen, Nora and Cade DuPrat; Hayden, Landyn, Amelia
and Freya Atherton; Lennox and Mark-James McDaniel; and Khya,
Fennigan, Ollivander and Poplyn Boomhover; her siblings, Heather
Stagnone (Mark) and Douglas Ramsay; and her in-laws Vernon Boomhover
(Jill) and John Boomhover (Debbie). She is also survived by multiple
nieces and nephews, along with aunts and uncles.
Without
a doubt, we know Suzie is dancing in heaven with her Daddy, Bruce,
who predeceased her. She’s also being celebrated and welcomed by
her grandparents; many aunts and uncles and cousins; and James’
parents, Robert and Jackie, along with their daughter Judy.
In
lieu of flowers, donations in Suzie’s honor may be made to
Vermont-based charity Never Give Up Ever,
supporting children with chronic, terminal illness or facing
life-altering injuries; or to REACH, a nonprofit
focused on research, education and advocacy for children with
Hirschsprung’s disease.
A
celebration of life will be held on June 20, 2025, from 6 to 9 p.m.,
at the Elks Lodge located at 44 Gricebrook Road in St. Albans, Vt.
Honored
to be serving the family of Suzanne Boomhover is Casey McNally of the
Heald Funeral Home, where messages of condolence are welcome at
healdfuneralhome.com.