Cecile Marie Ray, widow of Frank K. Ray, died peacefully November 10, 2015, with her family at her side, just 26 days before her 99th birthday.
Ceil was born December 7, 1916, in Westbrook, Maine. Orphaned at two years of age, she was adopted and raised by Maurice and Josephine Rocheleau, attended local schools, and graduated from St. Joseph Academy in South Berwick, Maine.
She and Frank married in l94l and lived in North Andover, Massachusetts before moving to Vernon in 1952. For over three decades she worked at Manchester
Memorial Hospital as a nurse's aide and was an active parishioner of Sacred Heart Church in Vernon for 63 years. She and Frank had a strong and loving marriage until his passing in 1985.
Ceil was an artist, musician, and gardener. She was a whiz with knitting and crochet needles, enjoyed playing cards and billiards, and was a long time member of a bowling league.
We will always mourn the lovely Mom she was to Maureen Tyler and her husband, William, with whom she made her home, and Mark Ray and his wife, Barbara of Manchester. She was a loving "Gramma" to Thomas and his wife, Diane, of Coventry, Kerrie Hanusiak and her husband, John, of Vernon, Michelene Wry and her husband, Brian, of Tolland, and Melanie Schleicher and her husband, Eric, of Westbrook. She was "Great Gramma" to Colby Tyler and his wife, Jamie of Suffield; and "Mimi" to great grandchildren: Quentin, Abby, and Lauren Wry, and Zoe and Andrew Schleicher.
Relatives and friends may join the family on Friday, November 13, 2015 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 550 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, Vernon. Burial will follow at Saint James Cemetery in Manchester. The family would like to thank the compassionate care given to Ceil by the Visiting Nurses & Health Services of CT and asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to them at 8 Keynote Drive, Vernon, CT 06066. For online condolences please visit: www.pietrasfuneralhome.com
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