Ramy Newland Hough, Born August 22, 1924, Entered Glory on August 21, 2022

Ramy Mary Newland was born on August 22, 1924. She was the fifth of seven children of George and Remy Newland. Her parents immigrated to Everett Washington from Friesland, a province in the Netherlands, and she was the first child born in the United States. Ramy came of age during the Great Depression and World War II. Her family was not wealthy, yet they always found a way to share with others in need during the trying times of the thirties. During her last year of high school, Ramy had a boyfriend of whom her mother disapproved. To encourage a separation, her mother persuaded her to attend WSU (Go Cougs!). Enrolled in 1942, Ramy graduated with a degree in Chemistry in 1946, one of only a few women who graduated with a science degree. Those were the war years, and airmen were being trained at WSU. During a dance at the National Guard Armory in Pullman, Ramy met a dashing young airman from Kentucky, whom she vowed to marry. Following his deployment to Europe, Ramy married Charles R. Hough on October 5, 1946.

And so began the next chapter in a long life. Following a move to Kentucky where Charles practiced law, they started a family. The practice of law didn’t suit Charles, and in 1955, the family moved to the struggling ancestral Hough farm.  Ramy learned about dairy cattle, chickens, raising crops and harvesting them, having a big garden, and the mischief three young boys could get into. She spent one night chasing chickens until 2 am after a truck mishap set them loose. This was during the 1950s and Kentucky was still in the south. Ramy was a first-generation immigrant from the west. People of color normally ate on the porch, while whites ate in the house, but Ramy would have none of it. In her thinking, everyone ate inside and those who objected could either join or go hungry. During the family’s last year in Kentucky, Charles switched professions from part-time law practice and farming to education. Ramy became a substitute teacher at a local school.

1960 saw another page turned, and a new chapter started with a move to Seattle, where employment and educational opportunities were significantly better. As the boys grew up and college loomed, Ramy took a position she held for the next 20 years, teaching math at North Seattle Community College. During these years she had time for her family, spending summers at Lake Goodwin, taking camping vacations, weekend trips to Vancouver BC with Charles, and ministering in Lake Forest Park and Lake City Presbyterian churches.

As the boys left home, she and Charles retired and moved to Laurelhurst. There, they devoted their time and energy to ministries (Laurelhurst Presbyterian Church and then later at University Presbyterian Church), traveling (the British Isles, Europe, and the Middle East), and grandchildren (Sean, Maya, Ben, Whitman, Houston, and William). After Charles died in 2008, Ramy moved to Exeter House where she established many friendships. In the closing years of her life, she moved to a retirement center in Spokane, near her son Charles and wife Renee, who could help with her daily needs.

Ramy is remembered for many things. She had a great circle of friends whom she loved. She was a woman of faith and an active church member all her life. Always curious and knowledgeable about many things, she would engage in meaningful conversations with anyone. Dinner parties, entertaining, and showing hospitality were hallmarks of hers. She had an adventurous spirit and would nearly always try new things, including ziplining at 87. The list could go on but space on this page will not. She is survived by her three sons, two daughters-in-law, six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. May she rest in peace in the arms of Jesus.