Ellen Rayball

Rayball, Ellen TROY Ellen (Moss) Rayball, 81, passed away peacefully on June 18, 2008 at the Terrace Eddy, Troy after an extended illness surrounded by her loving family. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 59 years, Gerald Rayball, and grandson, Derek Nolan. Formerly of Lowell, Mass., Cheshire, Conn., Latham, N.Y., Marshfield, Mass., and Boynton Beach, Fla. Born in Lowell on September 17, 1926, she was the daughter of William and Mary (Costello) Moss. Ellen graduated with honors from both the Notre Dame Academy and Keith Hall in Lowell. Her artistic ability earned her full scholarship to the New England School of Art in Boston, which she passed up in favor of a nursing career. Following her graduation with her RN from St. John's Hospital School of Nursing in Lowell in 1945, her lifelong love of nursing took her to various positions in primary care, pediatrics, supervisory administrations, including 15 years as nursing director at Siena College, retiring in 1992. Immediately following her retirement, she and her husband enjoyed living in their seaside home in Marshfield, later moving to Boynton Beach, where they maintained a home for 20 years. Returning to the Latham area in 2003 to be closer to her loving children, Ellen was always proud to say her greatest accomplishment in life was her eight children. While rearing her family, Ellen was active in church, alumni and social clubs, serving as chairwoman on various charitable committees where her artistic abilities were widely recognized and utilized. Together with her husband Gerry, they spent many years as active participants in the Catholic Church Pre-Cana Program. In later years, Ellen enjoyed traveling through the U.S. and Europe with her husband and friends, but her greatest joy remained her family. She valued family traditions above all and loved to tell stories to all of her children, parents, grandparents and relatives. Her love of family and its importance personified her whole life. She spent many hours lovingly painting, crafting, sewing, and needle pointing so all grandchildren and great-grand-children would each receive something unique for a special occasion that are now cherished as precious keepsakes. She was a communicant of Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Latham. Ellen is survived by her children, Michael (Janice) Rayball of Watervliet, Mary Ellen (Martin) Federici of Latham, William (Joanne) Rayball of Ballston Lake, Eileen (Edward) LaMora of Latham, Robin Nolan of Clifton Park, Martin (Giselle) Rayball of Rochester, Sheila (Daniel) Ricketts of Flower Mound, Texas, Patrick (Barbara) Rayball of Grapevine, Texas; 19 grandchildren, five great-grandchild-ren; sister-in-law, Murielle Ray-ball; and nieces, Sharon and Patricia Rayball of Latham. A funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 23, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 498 Watervliet Shaker Rd., Latham. Fr. Geoffrey Burke will officiate. Friends and relatives are invited and may call on Sunday from 2-5 p.m. at Dufresne and Cavanaugh Funeral Home, 149 Old Loudon Rd., Latham. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions would be appreciated to the Community Hospice of Rensselaer Co. For directions, information or to light a memory candle for the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com