Ramah Koenig O’Gorman was born on Dec. 12, 1938 in Cuero into a pioneer Texas family that traces its Texas roots to the time of the Republic of Texas. She was born into eternal life on Jan. 13, 2014.
She grew up in Cuero where she was the salutatorian at Cuero High School. She graduated summa cum laude with a degree in biology from the University of the Incarnate Word. While a researcher at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, she met the love of her life, medical student Leo Dennis O’Gorman. After marrying in 1962, they raised a family together and shared more than fifty-one years of devoted and loving marriage.
After raising her children, Ramah pursued another dream, becoming an elementary school teacher. She earned a master of science in elementary education at the University of Houston Clear Lake, again graduating summa cum laude. She was elected into the Phi Kappa Phi, Golden Key and Kappa Delta Pi honor societies. She then taught fourth grade at Rancho Isabella Elementary School in Angleton for many years. Named Rancho Isabella Teacher of the Year in 1991, she was nominated for Teacher of the Year in Angleton ISD and the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching. She positively impacted the lives of many students in and around Brazoria County.
A woman of great faith and a devout Catholic, she was an example of the Christian life. By action and by word up to the day of her death she taught her family the path to heaven. Her many roles in the church included service as Eucharistic minister, lector, and teacher of religious education. As part of the ministry to the sick, for many years she brought comfort and solace to parishioners who were confined to their homes, hospitals, or nursing homes. She was also active in her parish’s adoration ministry and resale shop.
Ramah and Leo were awarded the Bishop’s Medal of Recognition from the then Diocese of Galveston/Houston for outstanding service in establishing the diocesan Natural Family Planning program.
In addition to her involvement in the vhurch, she was engaged in a number of other volunteer activities including serving in the leadership of La Leche League, giving tours at Sea Center Texas, and teaching the wonders of nature to Texas school children as a Texas Parks and Wildlife Certified Master Naturalist.
In her free time she loved to garden and frequently visited Coastal Texas areas to observe and catalog birds with Leo. Though deeply rooted in Texas, she loved travel and learning about foreign cultures, people and cuisine. Particularly close to her heart were visiting friends in France and learning the French language. As an avid student of genealogy and her family’s Texas heritage, she was a proud member of the Castro Colonies Heritage Association and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. She was also a member of the Angleton Study Forum.
She was predeceased by her parents, Henry Joseph Koenig Sr. and Erna Juenger Koenig.
She is survived by her loving husband of fifty-one years, Leo O’Gorman, M.D., the retired firector of the Brazoria County Health Department, her three children, Sean Gorman, Kevin O’Gorman, and Maeve Pesquera, their spouses, Susan Gorman, Susan Hardwick-Smith M.D., and Luis Pesquera, and her grandchildren, Claire, Catherine, Margaret, Elisabeth, Liam Michael, Isabel, Lily, Dillan, Leo, Aidan, Diego, and Liam Anthony. Other survivors include her brother and sister-in-law, Henry Joseph Koenig Jr. and Janis Koenig, and their three children Mary Lynn, Mary Kay and Henry Joseph Koenig III.
Visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1713 North Tinsley St., Angleton, TX 77515. A vigil service will follow at 7 p.m. The funeral Mass will take place at the church on Friday, Jan. 17 at 10 a.m., celebrated by Maurice Restivo CSB, David Zapalac CSB, Vince Dulock CSB, Bob Duggan CSB, and Jay Walsh CSB. She will be laid to rest at Hillside Cemetery in Cuero on Saturday, Jan. 18.
The family wishes to express gratitude to all of the nursing and medical staff at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center for their compassionate care.
Donations in Ramah’s memory may be made to Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Angleton or the Castro Colonies Heritage Association in Castroville.
