When Sandy Bazo's daughter was getting married about 15 years ago, she was intent on finding her daughter the most beautiful dress in the world.

They found the dress, but there was one caveat: Bazo couldn't afford the gown. Crestfallen, she confided to her close friend at work, fellow Monroe County judicial assistant Sharyn Ramirez.

"A card showed up a few days later with some money inside and a note that said, 'Tell her to wear the most beautiful dress in the world.' It was wonderful," Bazo said. "That's the kind of person Sharyn is. She gave me a baby shower for my youngest son. She was coordinator for my daughter's wedding. She is so generous with her time."

A fixture at the Monroe County courthouse for 37 years, Ramirez retired this week amid tears and fanfare from nearly everyone in the building. In fact, more than 250 people bought tickets to her retirement party on Saturday, including lawyers, judges, clerks, administrators and almost everyone else who works in the courthouse.

Her co-workers' sadness will follow Ramirez into her retirement, as she has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Her retirement party on Saturday raised funds for Rameriz's battle with the illness.

Rameriz has been having trouble communicating in the last few weeks, friends said, and was not up for an interview.

Ramirez, a parishioner of Big Coppitt First Baptist Church, member of the Keys Chorale, gardener and lover of big-band music, began her legal career when she turned 18, right out of Key West High School.

For 20 years, she was the judicial assistant to County Judge Wayne Miller, who perhaps knew and worked more closely with Ramirez than anyone.

"When I started I was kind of rigid," Miller said in his chambers this week. "I don't think I was nearly as compassionate as I am now. Sharyn taught me that. It's more than her knowledge around here that I think has made her such a fixture. Her compassion and caring for everyone that she comes across leaves such an impression."

Good luck finding anyone in the courthouse who can recall Ramirez losing her temper or speaking ill of anyone, the judge said.

"She's the most lovely person I know," said Cheryl Alfonso, one of the court administrators.

Trying to find the words to explain Ramirez's friendship, Miller spoke of his great fear of playing the piano in front of an audience. He has been playing classical music on the instrument since he was a boy, but his phobia leaves him shaking at the thought of playing in front of others.

Over the years Ramirez, herself a vocalist and actress in many church functions, would urge Miller to overcome his fear.

"I always told her I would play for her at her retirement party," Miller said, adding it was a bit of a joke since many thought Ramirez would never retire.

"I want to play something special for Sharyn," Miller said. "A classical piece. Chopan. She was more than my assistant, but a close friend. Sharyn's word was always her bond. She lived by that old adage."

Miller said her knowledge and dedication to her job also was above and beyond.

"When I was doing landlord/tenant cases, Sharyn sat down and read everything on that law. I mean everything. She knows more about the law than she would ever admit," Miller said. "She could sit as judge was far as I'm concerned. And that's not including her knowledge of legal procedure."

Circuit Judge Mark Jones' judicial assistant, Star Garcia, said she learned everything she knows about her job from Ramirez.

"So much courtesy and compassion. That woman, in my opinion, is the best JA (judicial assistant) in the state of Florida. I don't say that lightly," Garcia said. "When we were at the old courthouse, we had people come right to our office. Anyone could show up, and the compassion she showed each and every person was just amazing. She showed me, all of us, how the public is to be treated when they come to a judge's office."

Darryl Robinson, her minister, was not surprised when The Citizen called seeking comments about Ramirez.

"Sharyn is loved, and loved so deeply in such a way that people's lives were transformed as a result of knowing her. She made that kind of impact," Robinson said. "Her infectious love and commitment to everything she was involved in, she just poured all of her heart, mind and soul into everything she did and we're all the better for it."

alinhardt@keysnews.com