Elena Marie Ramirez of Shelburne, Vt., passed away on September 3, 2025, after a courageous battle with breast cancer. Born January 26, 1970, in Long Island, N.Y., her family moved to Miami, Fla., when she was 1 year old. After graduating magna cum laude from Vanderbilt University, she left Miami the day after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and earned her PhD in clinical psychology at the University of Vermont. It was there, in Burlington, that she launched her esteemed career as a clinical psychologist. More importantly, it was at her first home, off Church Street, that she met her neighbor and soulmate, Matt Richer. Together since 1993, they married in January of 1998 in Puerto Rico and settled on Prickly Mountain in Warren, Vt. They welcomed their first daughter, Emma, in 2000, and in 2001 they moved to their forever home in Shelburne, where their second daughter, Ellie, was born in 2003.
For more than 25 years, Elena ran a thriving psychology practice. Over the years she helped countless patients with their struggles, touching so many lives along the way. This talent extended into her personal life as well. Elena was a force — of energy, of humor, of curiosity, of conversation, of generosity, and of love for her family and friends. She was always willing to lend a hand, have a conversation or help out anyone in any way she could.
Elena’s true passion was her children. Her mission was to provide them with all of the tools, knowledge, education and experiences that would see to it that they were happy, healthy and successful. Nothing gave her more pleasure than watching them grow and thrive over the years.
Her boundless energy was evident to all around her. No matter the weather, she started every day with a run on Shelburne’s trails with her two dogs by her side. In winter, every weekend was devoted to skiing: mostly at Sugarbush (where Matt taught her to ski 30 years ago), but often wherever the next ski race for the kids was happening. In the summer, she looked forward to tanning with friends at Quarry Hill or Davis Park. Almost any other time, she was usually up to grab lunch, get a pedicure or embark on a shopping adventure with a friend.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Matthew Richer; daughters Emma and Ellie Ramirez-Richer (her pride and joy); parents Salvador and Janis Ramirez of Miami, Fla.; sisters Sally Ann and Elizabeth of Miami; brother Robert (Julie) of Princeton, N.J.; father-in-law James Richer of Shelburne; sister-in-law Gretchen Richer of Ferrisburgh; brother-in-law Chris (Ryan) Richer of Bozeman, Mont.; nine nieces and nephews; and her dogs Chewie and Champ.
The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses of the University of Vermont Cancer Center who were always proactive and empathetic in their care and who made hospital visits as pleasant as possible. We are lucky to have this resource in our community.
A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 13, at the Meach Cove Farms Gathering Space in Shelburne (291 Bostwick Farm Road, formerly All Souls Interfaith Gathering).
For those interested in donations in Elena’s name, her charities of choice were the UVM Cancer Center (give.uvmhealth.org/cancermemorialgift) and Golden Huggs Rescue.
This article appears in Sep 10-16 2025.