Helen-Ray-Obituary

Helen Ray

Sheridan, Wyoming

Age 85

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DIED
June 27, 2013
AGE
85
LOCATION
Sheridan, Wyoming

Obituary

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Helen Ray, 85, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family on Thursday, June 27, 2013. She was born March 21, 1928 to John and Bertha Gronski in Sheridan. While growing up, her dad worked for the Wyoming Highway Department, so Helen and her siblings always got out of school a couple of weeks early to move into the Highway Department Camp in the Big Horn Mountains. Helen and her two sisters, Bea and Evelyn had their own "fairlyland" on the mountain and her brother Vincent had his own hill for their childhood adventures.
She attended Holy Name School and graduated from Sheridan High School in 1945. She worked for Chapek's Dime Store while attending high school. Shortly after high school, she met Jack Ray on a blind date, and then married him the following year on February 8, 1946 in Billings, MT. He was the love of her life! They were married for 56 years. They had two daughters, Janis and Amy, and Helen stayed home with them until they went to school and then she began working as a librarian at the old Public Library. She was an avid reader and loved her job! Later, she went to work with Jack in his Public Accounting Office and became his "right hand girl." She continued to work with Jack until he retired. They loved spending time with each other and with their children and grandchildren, and they enjoyed going on vacation all together. One of their favorite places to spend time with their family was at their cabin in Story. Helen always decorated her house for every holiday and season and had a special dinner and birthday celebration for each family member. She had a beautiful flower garden and an amazing vegetable garden. Helen was a member of Holy Name Catholic Church and the Altar & Rosary Society. Her Catholic faith was very important to her. After Jack passed away, she volunteered in Amy's classroom. Helen's whole life revolved around her family. She dearly loved her children, granchildren, and great grandchildren, and spoiling her dog, Jia. During the years when she was very sick and had 24 hour care in her home, she showed great courage and stength! She was amazing!
Helen is preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her sister, Evelyn Movious. She is survived by her daughters, Janis Shannon and her husband Gene and Amy Rojo and her husband Dave, all of Sheridan, her grandchildren, Travis Diener and Lori Eicholzer, of Los Angeles, CA, Chris Rojo and Nanciann of Banner, WY, Jonathan Rojo of Sheridan, Danny Rojo of Arcata, CA, great grandchildren, Isaac and Gabriel Rojo of Banner, WY and her sister Bea McCormick of Northglenn, CO, and her brother Vincent of Mills, WY and many nieces and nephews.
A visitation and memorial presentation will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at Holy Name Parish Hall. Helen's favorite funeral dessert will be served. A vigil service will follow. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 3rd, at Holy Name Church. A luncheon reception will immediately follow in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials to honor Helen can be made to the Holy Name Athletic Association, P.O. Box 5, Sheridan, WY 82801.
Online condolences may be written at www.kanefuneral.com.
Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

This obituary was originally published in The Sheridan Press (Sheridan, WY).

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To the family and friends of Helen Ray, please accept my condolences for the loss of your loved one. Always be sure that the God of all comfort urges you to "throw all your anxiety upon him because he cares for you" (1 Peter. 5:7).