Joan Marie Ramirez

1958 - 2021

Joan Marie Ramirez, 62, passed away unexpectedly on January 25, 2021 in Portsmouth, Virginia.

She was born the second of seven children to Howard Schoppe and the late Charlotte Kane on March 3, 1958 in Camden, New Jersey. Joan graduated from Norview Senior High School in 1976 and earned a Career Studies Certificate in Acquisition and Procurement from Tidewater Community College in 2001.

Joan grew up in the Shea Terrace neighborhood of Portsmouth, Virginia, where she made many lifelong friends. As an adult, she called Virginia Beach her home. She dedicated her life to a career as a Procurement Specialist with the Department of Defense, receiving numerous commendations and awards for her dedication and service. In 2014, she retired after 26 years. After retirement, she decided to travel as much as possible, as her career didn't afford her many opportunities to do so. She went on several cruises to the Caribbean and Mexico. She traveled across country and lived in San Diego before returning home to Virginia. She then moved to Florida, fulfilling her lifelong dream of residing there after retirement. After a few years, she moved back home to Virginia, yearning to be closer to family and friends.

Left to cherish her memory is her father Howard Schoppe (Ruth) of Mocksville, North Carolina; three daughters: Kathryn Ramirez (Michael Deon) of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Christine Ramirez (Hillary Lane) of Newport News, Virginia, and Maria Love of Batesville, Indiana; two brothers: Eugene Schoppe (Sharon) of Suffolk, Virginia and William Schoppe (Alice) of Portsmouth, Virginia; three sisters: Patricia Noche (Thomas) of Chesapeake, Virginia, Theresa Smith (William) of Morgantown, West Virginia, and Diane Smith (Chris) of Gatesville, North Carolina; grandchildren: Shawn Toothman, Melanie Thompson, Jacob Love, Kaitlynn Dube, and Lucas Heath; and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews. She also leaves behind her two rescue dogs: a Chiweenie named Mochaccino and a Chihuahua named Ariel.

She was predeceased by her mother Charlotte Schoppe and sister Linda Schoppe.

Joan loved the beach and mermaids. This love can be attributed to the many childhood summers spent at her maternal grandparents' beach cottage in Cape May, New Jersey. Her family and friends remember her as a fun-loving and charismatic person whose smile would light up a room. She was very proud of the accomplishments of her daughters and loved her grandchildren dearly.

A funeral mass will be held on Monday, August 2, 2021 at 11am at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. A Zoom link will be provided so family and friends who are unable to attend in person can still pay their respects. There will be an Irish Wake at a future time for all family and friends to celebrate Joan's life. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joan's name to Families of Autistic Children in Tidewater (FACT) at www.camp4autism.com/donate. You may offer condolences at www.woodlawnnorfolk.com.