58 Ransom Everglades LOG SPRING 2026 In Loving Memory Elena Marie Ramirez ’88 of Shelburne, Vt., passed away on September 3, 2025, after a courageous battle with breast cancer. Born January 26, 1970, in Long Island, N.Y., her family moved to Miami when she was one year old. After graduating magna cum laude from Vanderbilt University, she left Miami the day after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and earned her PhD in clinical psychology at the University of Vermont. It was there, in Burlington, that she launched her esteemed career as a clinical psychologist. More importantly, it was at her first home off Church Street, that she met her neighbor and soulmate, Matt Richer. Together since 1993, they married in January of 1998 in Puerto Rico and settled on Prickly Mountain in Warren, Vt. They welcomed their first daughter, Emma, in 2000, and in 2001 they moved to their forever home in Shelburne, where their second daughter, Ellie, was born in 2003. For more than 25 years, Elena ran a thriving psychology practice. Over the years she helped countless patients with their struggles, touching so many lives along the way. This talent extended into her personal life as well. Elena was a force – of energy, of humor, of curiosity, of conversation, of generosity and of love for her family and friends. She was always willing to lend a hand, have a conversation or help out anyone in any way she could. Former trustee, Ann Randolph Flipse, 92, of Jacksonville, Fla., passed away on July 9, 2025. She was born in San Antonio, Texas, and grew up in Fort Worth with her parents and two sisters. She attended the University of Texas and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Mo. She did a residency in pediatrics at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Variety Children’s Hospital in Miami. She went on to practice pediatrics in Miami where she and her husband raised their four children. She loved music and art, and expressed her creativity through needlepoint, creating beautiful works that she shared with family and friends. Above all, she valued education. After she left private medical practice, she joined the faculty of the University of Miami School of Medicine, where she taught future doctors for 20 years. She volunteered her time serving on the board of trustees at Ransom School (1973-74) and Ransom Everglades School (1975-85). She was recognized as an honorary alum of the Ransom Everglades Class of 1979. After retiring, she relocated to Jacksonville and volunteered at the University of North Florida, where she served on several councils and committees. She created an endowed scholarship at her medical school and established a scholarship at the Brooks College of Health in Jacksonville. She was a lifelong learner, voracious reader and world traveler. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Edward Flipse. She is survived by her children, Tom Flipse ’77 (Trish), Jay Flipse ’80, Sara Flipse ’81 (Jessi), and Ann Flipse ’86, and by her three grandchildren, Kaylee, Thomas and Abigail. Elena’s true passion was her children. Her mission was to provide them with all of the tools, knowledge, education and experiences that would see to it that they were happy, healthy and successful. Nothing gave her more pleasure than watching them grow and thrive over the years. Her boundless energy was evident to all around her. No matter the weather, she started every day with a run on Shelburne’s trails with her two dogs by her side. In winter, every weekend was devoted to skiing: mostly at Sugarbush (where Matt taught her to ski 30 years ago), but often wherever the next ski race for the kids was happening. In the summer, she looked forward to tanning with friends at Quarry Hill or Davis Park. Almost any other time, she was usually up to grab lunch, get a pedicure or embark on a shopping adventure with a friend. She is survived by her beloved husband, Matthew Richer; daughters, Emma and Ellie RamirezRicher (her pride and joy); parents, Salvador and Janis Ramirez of Miami; sisters, Sally Ann ’82 and Elizabeth ’93 of Miami; brother, Robert ’87 (Julie) of Princeton, N.J.; father-in-law, James Richer of Shelburne; sister-in-law, Gretchen Richer of Ferrisburgh; brother-in-law, Chris (Ryan) Richer of Bozeman, Mont.; nine nieces and nephews; and her dogs, Chewie and Champ. Her many RE classmates and friends miss her greatly. Sean Posner ’93, a much-loved RE alumnus and parent, passed away in January. Sean will be recognized in our next issue.
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