DRESDEN - Ramona A. (Knowlton) Cook passed away on Wednesday, January 24, 2018, in Augusta, ME. She was born at home on March 13, 1929, in Dresden, ME and was the daughter of the late Sherman Hoyt Knowlton and Ethelwyn M. (Reed) Knowlton.

Ramona graduated from Bridge Academy High School (Dresden, ME) in 1947.

She was predeceased by a son, Royce C. Burgess, her first husband, Ronald C. Burgess, her late husband, Lawrence M. Cook, two sisters: Roberta Parlin and Nellie Niewola, and a brother, John Knowlton, Sr.

Ramona is survived by six children: Pamela J. Whitaker and husband Brad of Conway, SC, Rachel A. McAllister of Buxton, ME, Ronna A. Bernier and husband David of Richmond, ME, Mark W. Burgess and wife Ruth of Greene, Me, Risa A. Paquet and husband Louie of Oxford, ME, and Rita A. Burgess of Cary, NC; two step-sons, Barry Cook of Dresden, ME and Lawrence Cook Jr.; a sister, Ella Hersom of Dresden, ME; and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Ramona’s first “official” job at the age of 12 was picking strawberries in order to purchase her first beloved palomino horse, Victor. As an adult she worked at Bates Mill, the Bobcat Den at Bates College, and for veterinarian Dr. Camille A. Gardiner, all of Lewiston, ME.

Ramona’s love of animals, especially palomino horses, was a lifelong passion. She was a long time member of the Maine Horse Association, where she won many, many year-end championships and honors throughout the years showing palomino American Saddlebred horses. She was also a member of the American Saddlebred Association of Maine, as well as the American Saddlebred Association of America and a member of the Palomino Horse Breeders Association of America. Ramona was well known throughout Maine and the New England region for breeding and raising quality palomino American Saddlebred horses at her farm Pine Acre Stables. In 2009 Ramona was inducted into the American Saddlebred Hall of Fame.

Ramona loved all animals, especially her “little Lucy”, a miniature pinscher. Taking pictures and studying birds and wild animals that frequented the fields behind her house in Dresden was a favorite past time. At other times she enjoyed word search puzzles, listening to country music countdowns every week, and seeing family and friends.

A service will be held later in May 2018 under the direction and care of Kincer Funeral

Home, 130 Pleasant Street, Richmond, ME 04357.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Humane Society of Maine.