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Vena Russell Ray - Class of 1953
Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com>
on 03/Jan/2024
71.223.162.184
Vena Russell Ray - Class of 1953 - It is with great sadness
that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, sister,
grandmother, great-grandmother, godmother, and friend, Vena
Russell Ray, who left us on December 30, 2023, at the age of
88. Vena was born on February 20, 1935, in Newburgh, NY, and
was the youngest daughter of William and Sophia (Skipwith)
Russell. She was a graduate of Newburgh Free Academy and
later attended SUNY Cobleskill, where she met her future
husband, Claude, whom she married February 20, 1957. Vena
would go on to work in the Early Childhood Center at SUNY
Cobleskill, and after taking advantage of Skidmore College's
University Without Walls program, she eventually earned her
bachelors from Skidmore, and her masters from Nova
Southeastern University, and eventually joined the faculty
of the Early Childhood Program, where she worked until
retirement in 2000.
Upon retirement, Vena stayed very active in the local
community, dedicating much of her time to her work as a
Certified Lay Speaker for the United Methodist Church, where
she substitute-preached at churches in and around Schoharie
County and provided pastoral care to elderly hospital and
hospice patients. In 2002, she formed the singing duo "The
Rays of Sonshine". This duo traveled to churches through the
capital district to preach the gospel through song. She was
also known to perform and officiate at weddings, providing
her angelic voice for these important occasions. But her
most important work in retirement was executing the role of
grandmother to her seven grandchildren and two
great-grandchildren. Hosting sleepovers, attending sporting
events, and providing a grandmother's love that knew no
bounds came effortlessly to her and provided memories that
will be cherished for a lifetime. Her love of music and
children guided much of what she did in life, and her
kindness, symphony of warmth, and the world's best hugs
positively impacted thousands of people along her way.
Survivors include her three sons: M. Kevin (Marcia) Ray of
Carlisle, Kent A. Ray (Cathi Hedman) of Sprakers, and Kurt
(Deborah) Ray of Clifton Park; her brothers: Skipwith
"Teenie" Russell of Sacramento, CA and Lee "Butch" Russell
of Newburgh; seven grandchildren; Aaron (Marissa) and Jordan
(Krystal) Ray, Jessica (Amy) Ray, Marissa and Taylor Ray,
McKenzie Ray and Austin Becker; two great-granddaughters,
Josephine Vena Ray and Charlie Rose Ray; one god-son; Joseph
Collins; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear
friends. She was predeceased by her husband, Claude V. Ray;
five brothers: Vincent, Raymond, James, Francis, and
Franklyn; and two sisters: Bernetta and Julia.
A
funeral service will be held at the Cobleskill Methodist
Church on Saturday, January 6 at 2pm with NancyLee
Harrington officiating. Family and friends are also invited
to a period of visitation to be held on Friday, January 5
from 4-7pm at Mereness Putnam Funeral Home at 171 Elm St.
Cobleskill, NY. Spring interment will be in the Lutheran
Cemetery in Schoharie, NY. Memorial contributions may be
made to the Barnerville Methodist Church, PO Box 184, Howes
Cave, NY 12092. For those unable to attend in person the
funeral service will be live streamed on the funeral home
Facebook page.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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