Born in the Philippines to a family of seven children, Sr. Josefina (Josie) Ramac’s winding path to the Sisters of Providence community spanned two continents and many life experiences through her young adulthood.
Her family immigrated to the United States when she was 13, arriving in Seattle in the late 1950s to join her father — a retired U.S. Army serviceman. Sr. Josie attended Immaculate High School, where she was educated by the Holy Names Sisters, and continued her studies at Seattle University in preparation for a career in education. She loved to learn, and followed this passion to study Spanish at the University of Madrid — an experience she had no idea at the time would become pivotal to her future ministry.
Upon return to the U.S., she earned a master’s degree in education at the University of Portland, and taught preschool for several years while continuing to travel and contemplate family life. God, however, had other plans for her.
Invited to what she thought was simply a young women’s retreat, Sr. Josie found herself at a vocation retreat. There, she felt deeply moved by the Holy Spirit. Her heart grew restless until she responded with a wholehearted “yes,” and she entered religious life, joining the Sisters of Providence in the late 1970s.
Recognizing her fluency in Spanish, her Postulant Director send her to the Yakima Valley for her first summer ministry, where she worked with children of migrant workers – many of whom faced educational disruptions due to constant relocation and the added challenge of learning English.
Sr. Rebecca Berghoff, SP, then principal of St. Joseph Marquette School in Yakima, and a respected figure in the region, invited Sr. Josie to start the school’s kindergarten program. Yakima is an important pillar of Sr. Josie’s story as a Sister: time and time again, after fulfilling congregational assignments elsewhere, she returned to the city to teach and engage in parish ministry — falling in love with the people and the mission.
Sr. Josie would expand her instruction to teach Spanish across all grade levels, a challenge she took on with enthusiasm. A highlight of this ministry was leading junior high students on educational trips to Mexico — which included assignments tied to social studies, math, religion, and more areas of study — creating immersive experiences and core memories for the young participants.
After many years in the classroom, Sr. Josie was invited to shift her focus to formation work within her congregation. She served as Novice Director for many years, forming new Sisters in the U.S., Canada, and the Philippines. Later, she was called to leadership, serving as Provincial Councilor to the Mother Joseph region.
Sr. Josie is a masterful gardener, enjoying walks and spending time with family and friends. She is the beloved Spanish instructor for the Sisters of Providence, Mother Joseph administrative staff, leading two levels of weekly language classes.
Sr. Josie says she is simply grateful to have reached this 50-year milestone through God’s grace and blessings, and reflects often in the message of Micah 6:8: “This is what God asks of me: ‘to act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with my God’ — and I want to live that for the rest of my life.”