Michelle ‘Mimi’ Welshonce

Michelle was born in Elkins, West Virginia, on Dec. 9, 1956, to her mother, Harriett, and father, Jimmy.

She received her bachelor’s degree at West Virginia Wesleyan College. She then moved to Ithaca, New York, in 1978, where she continued her Masters education in Social Work at Syracuse University and Cornell University, creating programs for young adults. With a passion to help troubled youth find their way in the world, she spent the majority of her career at OCM BOCES in Cortland, New York.

Michelle was a bright, energetic and caring person. Her ability to light up a room was widely known by her devoted circle of friends. She loved mother nature, from the mountains to the ocean.

Our “Mimi” was happiest outdoors, whether she was tending to her beautiful flower garden, taking very long walks down the beach, or hiking with her buddies. After retirement, she spent a lot of her time traveling to various places, having adventures along the way.

In 2019, Mimi, her husband, Phil, daughter, Sarah, and son-in-law, Jesse, took their first family trip across the sea to London, England. This was an important trip for Mimi because she spent many times traveling Europe with her mother, father, and brother, as a child. One of her most memorable trips was a 150-mile bike ride on the Great Allegheny Passage with the love of her life and husband, Phil, in 2022. They started their journey in Cumberland, Maryland, and finished in Point State Park in Pittsburgh, where their beloved daughter, Sarah, greeted them at the finish line. Pittsburgh held a special place in Mimi’s heart, as she and Phil would frequently visit her daughter, Sarah, for local adventures around Shadyside, Lawrenceville, North Shore, South Side and Mt. Lebanon.

Michelle is survived by her husband, Phil Ramey; her daughter, Sarah Ramey and husband, Jesse; her brother, Jeff Welshonce and, wife Debbie; her sister-in-law, Jan Ramey; her nephews, Tom Welshonce and wife, Carolyn, and sons Jack and Eben; Mike Welshonce and wife, Elizabeth, and son, Clay; and Miles Ramey and wife, Lea, and son, Rowan. Her joyful spirit is also carried on through her close-knit and widespread group of friends in Ithaca, Dryden, Cortland, Elkins, Pittsburgh and all across the country.

Calling hours will be held from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., with a service to follow at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, located at Perkins Funeral Home, 55 W. Main Street, Dryden, NY 13053.

Burial will follow at 2 p.m. at Willow Glen Cemetery for family and close friends.

Mimi would want us to celebrate her life in color — in place of black, you may wear something bright, colorful and/or floral to the service on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to PanCan PurpleStride, an organization that Mimi was passionate about to raise awareness and funding to fight pancreatic cancer.

https://secure.pancan.org/site/TR/ PurpleStride/Purple Stride?team_id=5269 5&pg=team&fr_id=2816

Online condolences can be left at www.perkinsfh.com.