Maryjane Ferreira Balthazar

MaryJane Ferreira Balthazar was called to heaven Aug. 23, 2014, but not before she lived a life full of happiness, faith and, most importantly, love.

She entered heaven peacefully with her husband and daughter by her side at her home in Port Orchard, Washington.

MaryJane was born on the beautiful Hawaiian island of Maui to Frank E. and Lottie Ferreira of Wailuku on June 14, 1935. Of Portuguese descent, she was the second-youngest of 11 children.

Her siblings: Rose Latona, Millie Hixon, Tom Ferreira, Frank Ferreira, Rita Templeton, Stephen Ferreira, Jacob Ferreira, Patricia Ferreira Cannon, Cecilia Ferreira and MaryJane Ferreira (who passed away as an infant child).

She attended Catholic school and graduated from St. Anthony High School in 1954. When she was 16, a handsome-but-shy boy named Dennis Balthazar struck up a conversation during a show at the now-Historic Iao Theatre and mustered enough courage to hold her hand. It was the start of a love that would last a lifetime.

After Dennis entered the Army a few years later, however, the two parted ways. MaryJane went to Honolulu and worked at both the Like Like and Kau Kau Korner drive-ins near Waikiki.

MaryJane then met and married Ray Anthony Ramsey, and they moved to California in 1957. The couple had five children: William (Bill) Ramsey, Patricia Ramsey, David Ramsey, Frank Ramsey and Jerry Ramsey. During her marriage to Ray, MaryJane was a devoted mother and homemaker.

Later in life, MaryJane reunited with her high school sweetheart - Dennis Balthazar. They moved to Monterey, California together and had two children: Dennis Jr. and MaryDennise.

In 1976, MaryJane and Dennis married. In 1982, they renewed their vows at St. Gabriel Church in Port Orchard, Washington. Over the years, the couple lived in Central and Southern California, Hawaii and the Northwest.

Throughout her life, MaryJane was a devoted wife and mother. She worked as a rental property manager and also helped alongside Dennis with his painting business. When not working, MaryJane and Dennis spent time with family and friends playing music. Dennis taught her to play the ukulele while he played guitar and sang. Some of MaryJane’s favorite music: “Save the Last Dance For Me” and “I Overlooked an Orchid,” as well as anything by Elvis Presley and Kenny Rogers, among many other artists. All of her life, she loved to dance. As a child on Maui, she learned to hula.

MaryJane loved nature, baking and Vinha D’Alhos - a Hawaiian-style, Portuguese pork dish. Later in life she developed a passion for writing poetry. She authored thousands of poems and had her work published in multiple poetry books. Her words touched others across the world, as she belonged to several international online poetry clubs and groups.

Throughout her life, MaryJane was a devoted and faithful Catholic. Her faith influenced everything from her love for family to the words in her poems. In her later years, she recited the rosary twice a day and listened to Sacred Heart Radio religiously.

But ask anyone who knew MaryJane, and he or she would tell you that what she cared about most in life were her grandchildren. She had nine of them, as well as eight great-grandchildren. All of them, she kept in her heart and daily prayers.

Among MaryJane’s many poems, one in particular - an ode to her home island of Maui - speaks to her entry into God’s kingdom:

“With trade winds blowing, blowing softly,”
“You are calling to me,”
“Come home, Come to me.”

MaryJane is survived by husband, Dennis L. Balthazar Sr.; sister Patricia Ferreira Cannon; children William (Bill) Ramsey, Patricia Ramsey, David Ramsey, Jerry Ramsey, Dennis L. Balthazar Jr., and MaryDennise Balthazar Champaco.

She was preceded in passing by parents Frank E. and Lottie Ferreira; siblings Rose Latona, Millie Hixon, Tom Ferreira, Frank Ferreira, Rita Templeton, Stephen Ferreira, Jacob Ferreira, Cecilia Ferreira and MaryJane Ferreira (infant child); and son Frank Ramsey.

Rosary will take place at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 5 at St. Gabriel Church in Port Orchard, Washington, 1150 Mitchell Ave. Memorial mass will take place 11 a.m., with reception to follow.

To honor her wishes, MaryJane’s family will fly her ashes home to Maui, where she will be put to rest at her family church and cemetery - St. Anthony Catholic Church in Wailuku, Maui.