Ethel Rose Birmley Ramsey Holt passed away peacefully on September 11, 2026, at the age of 99, just weeks shy of her 100th birthday, surrounded by the love of her family and with her granddaughter by her side.

Ethel was born November 8, 1926, in Craig, Colorado, in the nurse’s home, to William Charles Birmley and Minnie Esther Birmley. She grew up with her two brothers, Dean William Birmley and Ray Charles Birmley.

From an early age, Ethel knew she wanted to become a nurse. After graduating from high school, she was still too young to enter nursing school, so she attended a semester of college in Compton before beginning her nursing education at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital Nursing School through the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps. Ethel went on to a 25-year career in nursing, devoting much of her working life to caring for others.

After raising their family in Lakewood, California, Ethel and her high school sweetheart and husband of over 50 years, Taylor Pierce Ramsey Jr., known as Pierce, settled in Cimarron, New Mexico, in 1976. Seeing a need for local medical care, Ethel found a doctor and helped establish a community clinic. In 1978, she established Cimarron’s emergency medical and ambulance service, became one of the area’s first IV technicians, and served with the ambulance for 13 years.

Ethel was equally devoted to art. A professional artist for approximately 35 years, she owned galleries and a studio, taught art, judged shows, wrote about art, and exhibited and won awards for her work. She also had a lasting connection with Philmont Scout Ranch, where she volunteered with the museum, created murals and exhibits, taught art classes, completed commissioned artwork for Philmont visitors, and served as the staff cook at Ponil Camp for a summer.

Cimarron held a special place in Ethel’s heart. She fell in love with the place where the Rocky Mountains meet the plains and never lost her sense of wonder at the natural world. Even near the end of her life, she could look out at the trees and say, “Isn’t this beautiful?”

After both had lost their spouses, Ethel married Ebben Erwin “Red” Holt in 2006. They shared 18 years together before Red’s passing in 2024. Together, they enjoyed a full and happy life in Cimarron, sharing their love of family, community, travel, and the beautiful country they called home.

Ethel was preceded in death by her parents, William Charles Birmley and Minnie Esther Birmley; her brothers, Dean William Birmley and Ray Charles Birmley; her daughter, Karen Kaye Ramsey, who passed away in 2024; her first husband, Taylor Pierce Ramsey Jr. (“Pierce”), who passed away in 2001; and her husband, Ebben Erwin “Red” Holt, who passed away in 2024.

She is survived by her sons, Taylor Pierce Ramsey III and Bradley William Ramsey; eight grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren.

Ethel leaves behind nearly a century of family, stories, paintings, service, adventure, and memories. She taught those who came after her to value family and history, appreciate art and nature, and recognize the beauty in everyday life. Her determination and resilience were captured in words her family will continue to carry forward:

“There is always a way.”

A celebration of Ethel’s life will be held on what would have been her 100th birthday, Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. 230 Rayado Creek Road, Miami, New Mexico is 87729. Family and friends are invited to gather to celebrate a life nearly a century in the making.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you bring a cherished memory of Ethel to share—or honor her simply by helping someone in your community, creating something beautiful, or stopping for a moment to admire the world around you and say:

“Isn’t this beautiful?”

Arrangements for Ethel Rose Brimley Ramesy Holt are entrusted to the Alderette-Pomeroy Funeral Home.