Popular actress, stand-up comedienne and singer Elizabeth Ramsey, who was labelled as the country’s “Original Queen of Comedy” and “Queen of Rock and Roll,” noted for her trademark Visayan-accent has just died on Thursday, at the age of 83.
Jaya, her daughter announced the sad news through her Facebook account.
“Mama Beth is now with our Lord… 83 years has been full. Love and laughter, she has given not just our family but the whole nation.” Jaya said in her post.
Ramsey suffered a stroke last August where she was rushed to the Philippine Heart Centre. This news was relayed by her daughter, Jaya, who thanked everyone, especially those who have been fervently praying for her mother’s recovery.
Jaya said: “Thank you for your love and prayers and I rejoice because she passed in her sleep. In peace. In God’s loving arms. Bye mama, until we meet again. I love you forever. Thank you Jesus.”
Looking back at some of her notable achievements as a performer, Ramsey, at the age of 16, started performing with bands and rose to popularity and stardom when she joined and won the singing contest of the popular noontime show “Student Canteen,” the first noontime show in Philippine television sometime in 1958.
Ramsey began to perform at the Manila Grand Opera House after winning the contest. Eventually, she later moved to Clover Theatre, and joined with some of the country’s top comedians at the time like Casmot, Aruray and Balot. She continued to rise in prominence as an actress, singer and comedienne, and the rest you can say is history.
Ramsey was born in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental on December 3, 1931. Her mother’s name is Marcelina Rivera Indino, a Filipina of Spanish descent, while her father, Arturo C. Ramsey, was a Jamaican marine based in the Philippines.
Ramsey was blessed with three children by her first husband of Jamaican nationality.
When he passed away, Ramsey met a Filipino, Ray Kagahastian, with whom she had one daughter with before they got separated. This daughter’s name is Maria Luisa Ramsey – or otherwise known as the popular singer and recording artist “Jaya.”
We offer our condolences to the bereaved family of Elizabeth Ramsey. May her soul rest in peace in God’s eternal kingdom.
