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Mary Raney Obituary
She was the daughter of the late William Carr Jordan and Anna Elizabeth Jordan and was born in Syracuse, N.Y. on Sept. 9, 1929. She was a native of Skaneateles, N.Y., and had been a resident of Newport News for 45 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and brother, William Carl Jordan.
Mary graduated from the National Cathedral School for Girls in Washington, D.C., in 1948. She graduated from Syracuse University in 1952 where she received a B.A. in Speech and Dramatics. She was a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority. After graduating college, Mary performed live TV commercials for WSYR TV in Syracuse, N.Y. She was also a real-estate agent for many years and owner of the Globe Laminating Company in Newport News, Va.
Mary was a member of The First Church of Christ, Scientist in Hampton, Va., where she served as First Reader and taught in the Sunday School for many years. She also served as a Christian Science Assistant Committee on Publication. Through the years, she devoted countless hours to a variety of charitable activities.
Mary was a devoted mother and is survived by her daughter, CDR Elisa Anne Raney; her son, Jeffrey Philip Raney and his wife, Kerstin I. Schneider. She is also survived by her brother, Charles Jordan and his wife, Barbara of Skaneateles, N.Y.; and five nephews, William Carl Jordan Jr., Andrew Monnoyer Jordan, Thomas Wille Jordan, Charles Lawrence Jordan, and Edward Markell Jordan.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 12, at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Ave., Hampton, VA 23666. There will be a reception following the service.
Friends are encouraged to visit www.mem.com to share words of comfort with the family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, www.fallenheroesfund.org. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mary Raney
3 Entries
September 16, 2008
From her many Alpha Phi sisters throughout this area, we are sorry to hear of her passing into the Silent Chapter. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
~Alpha Phi Alumni Chapter of the Virginia Peninsula
Deane Ferguson Mills
September 13, 2008
Dear Jeff & Elisa,
Your mother was a lovely, dear person and a precious and devoted friend. She and my mother had many good times through their church and attending concerts and symphonies and the opera together. Mary was so good to my mother in the last few years of Mother's life----faithfully visiting her and reading to her and cheering her up after my father died.
Although Mary and I had lost touch with each other over the last few years I thought of her often. She truly was just a dear.
She loved her children and was so proud of you both; I know you will miss her.
Fondly,
Deane Ferguson Mills
York Co., VA
Hazel/Michael Mann
September 11, 2008
Dear Jeff and Ellisa and family,
We were sadden to hear about your mother's passing. She will always remain dear to our heart. We met her almost 40 years ago when we moved to Hampton. She was one of the first to greet us as we went to the services at the Hampton Church.
We are so grateful that we were able to join you, your Mom, and the Townsends for a wonderful evening during the Christmas holidays last year. It was a delightful time to share with all of you. I'll never forget the story of Mary and the umbrella at the train station !!!
You all are in our thoughts as you go through this time. May God comfort each one of you.
Hazel and Michael Mann
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