Elizabeth Ray

Elizabeth (Thompson) Ray, 89, a resident of Newtown and the widow of Vincent P. Ray, died on May 22 in Danbury Hospital.

Mrs Ray was born in Danbury and attended local schools before graduating from the Mt Sinai School of Nursing in New York City. She returned to Danbury and married Vincent P. Ray, a local pharmacist, and was active in running their pharmacy for many years.

Upon their retirement, the couple moved to Santa Barbara, Calif. Fifteen years later the couple returned to Connecticut and made their home in Newtown. Both Mr and Mrs Ray had been active in civic affairs. Mrs Ray was a volunteer for the Western Connecticut Chapter of the American Red Cross and was a long term member of the Newtown Women’s Club, having held several chairman’s positions. Mr Ray was a member and past president of the Rotary Club of Danbury.

The couple was also involved in the Order of the Eastern Star and had served Stellar Chapter #55 of Danbury in many capacities, including chapter organist for many terms, and had traveled with the lodge statewide and had visited nationally during a period of over 60 years.

Mrs Ray had been a devoted Episcopalian through her membership in St James Episcopal Church, Danbury, and in her retirement, as a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Newtown.

She is survived by two brothers, Harry A. Thompson of Chatsworth, Calif., and Charles J. Thompson of Verona, Wis.; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends were received at the Tomlinson Homestead Funeral Home in Danbury on May 25 and at funeral services at St James Episcopal Church in Danbury on May 26. Final interment will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, Calif.

Contributions in memory of Mrs Ray may be made to the Jane C. Thompson Memorial Fund, Masonic-Eastern Star Home For Children, Fremont, NE 68025.

The Newtown Bee         June 2, 2000