from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Jane Baldt Ramsey, 81, died July 19, 2018, at Rockland Place Retirement Living Community in Wilmington, Del.

Her final days were spent surrounded by family and friends that she had touched throughout her very memorable life. Those that were touched understood the quality of existence far exceeds the quantity of time that one lives.

She was born in Wilmington, Del., in 1937 to the late Josephine and Carl Baldt.

Diagnosed many years ago with diabetes and heart disease, she never gave up. She never complained, maintaining a brave and cheerful outlook of an optimistic future — even through countless hospitalizations and painful procedures. She would often say that getting old was not for sissies.

Her passions were her animals and farming. She was an early champion of rescuing abandoned dogs, cats and horses.

For 20 years she was involved with harness racing as an owner and trainer. She raced her horses in the tri-state area during the 1970s and 1980s. Her two best horses were O’Neals Fancy and Doc’s Jabara. These horses had multiple wins at Brandywine, Delmarva, Harrington, Dover and Liberty Bell. Her horses always raced in conditioned races and never claiming races. When her horses were retired, she spent a few years in the licensing office working for the Delaware Harness Racing Commission at Brandywine Race Track.

She was a big supporter of the Ramsey’s Farm Pumpkin Patch and often could be found teaching the children about farm animals and giving hay rides to the farm visitors. She was on the farm each day during the pumpkin season helping in check out, payroll and greeting the farm visitors at the information booth. She loved driving the tractor with her grandson, Carl.

She is survived by her children, Jane B. Ramsey (David Amos) and Stewart (Wendy); grandson, Carl; brothers, Lenard (Beverly) Baldt and William Baldt; and a nephew and two nieces. She was preceded in death by her sister-in-law, Shiela Baldt.

Words cannot express the family’s appreciation for all that Na’Cole Nichols-Evans and Teresa Palmatary did for her the past couple of months. The family would also like to thank Dr. Cynthia Heldt, the nurses and staff at Rockland Place Retirement Community as well as the nurses and aids of Delaware Hospice.

At her request, there will be no viewing. Her body was donated to science. A celebration of her life will take place at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Faithful Friends Animal Society, 12 Germay Dr., Wilmington, DE 19804 or Delaware Hospice, 16 Polly Drummond Center, 2nd Floor, Newark, DE 19711.