March 7, 1948 — Nov. 22, 2023
In Loving Memory of Wendy Ray
Wendy Susan Ray, 75, of Ashland, Oregon, passed away peacefully on Nov. 22, 2023. She was surrounded by love and with family by her side as she courageously navigated an unexpected and serious illness.
She was born to the late Warner Clark Ray and the late Vivian Dorothy (Hillstrom ) Ray on March 7, 1948, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Wendy grew up with her parents and her two younger sisters. During her childhood, they moved frequently as her father was in the United States Army and was stationed at various Army bases. They spent a significant amount of time living in Germany and had the opportunity to travel in Europe while living abroad.
She graduated from high school in Germany in 1966 and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern Illinois University in 1970. Wendy was known as a gifted artist and painter, an avid reader, and a fan of folk music. Following her graduation from college, she lived in the Chicago area where her daughter Amanda was born. Wendy and Amanda moved to Ashland, Oregon, in 1976.
Wendy is survived by her daughter Amanda Ray, son-in-law Jeffrey Mann, and her granddaughter Mirabella Mannray. She is also survived by her sister Rhonda Ray, brother-in-law Robert Costello, her sister Robin Ray, brother-in-law Lawrence Schilling, her nieces Freya Galeazzi, Sonia Schilling and Hopi Costello Ruplin, as well as her great nieces and nephew.
Wendy enjoyed staying connected with all her relatives and she became very interested in genealogy upon retirement. She was known for remembering birthdays and holidays and consistently sent sweet gifts to the children in the family. Wendy valued higher education and assisted both her daughter Amanda and her granddaughter Mirabella with their college degree pursuits. She was filled with pride at her granddaughter’s graduation from Barnard College of Columbia University in New York City last Spring. Her family deeply misses her.
Wendy worked as a kindergarten teacher and a librarian and then spent 29 years as a social worker. Wendy was an advocate for programs that helped low-income families. One of her co-workers told her daughter years ago: “Your mom works so hard, because she cares so much.”
Retirement brought her more time to focus on community engagement via volunteer work. She was an active member of the Soroptimist International of Ashland, the Crater Lake Chapter of DAR and the First Presbyterian Church of Ashland. She participated in many fundraising endeavors and community projects.
Wendy supported the performing arts; she was a frequent patron of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Oregon Cabaret Theatre and the Britt Festival in Jacksonville. She was a life-long learner and attended a variety of classes via the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI).
She enjoyed the camaraderie of playing Mahjong with friends, attending circuit classes at the YMCA, discussing favorite cozy mystery novels and finding collectible pottery treasures while out antiquing. Wendy loved the Oregon Coast and took long walks on the beach with her Sheltie dogs. Another source of joy for her was in gathering with a group of friends who connected while their Shelties played together.
Wendy was fond of international travel and she shared wonderful memories with friends and family visiting Mexico, Thailand, Peru, Greece, Turkey, Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, Portugal and Spain. She was a beloved and loyal family member, friend and neighbor. She was wise to fully appreciate the people in her life as well as the simple pleasures of life.
Wendy’s family is planning a Celebration of Life ceremony in her honor to be held on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at the First Presbyterian Church in Ashland, Oregon. Details are available by clicking here. In lieu of flowers, her family asks you to consider making a donation to either the Ashland Community Health Foundation (Wendy was a long supporter of this local nonprofit and a believer in the importance of funding community health initiatives) or to the Ashland Public Library (Wendy worked at the Ashland Public Library years ago and was a life-long supporter of libraries). Wendy’s family is in great appreciation of the support and love they have received from her community of friends.
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