June Ray

June Ray was a woman who was beautiful on both the inside and out. She was strong, resilient, and steadfast in her faith that helped sustain her during the trying times that came along throughout her life’s journey. June was a devoted mother who treasured her work in caring both for her boys and her husband and when grandchildren joined her family, she couldn’t have been happier. Her church family played a vital role in her life, and the relationships she shared with her fellow “Refugees” were simply priceless. June selflessly gave of herself to the world around her and in doing so, touched the hearts and lives of countless others in a significant way. A true gift in so many ways, June will be deeply missed.

The thirties were a difficult time in our nation’s history since the Great Depression covered our nation like a wet blanket throughout the entire decade. Countless Americans lost their jobs, their homes, and their hopes and dreams for the future as well. Amidst this trying time, there was much to celebrate for one family in Detroit, Michigan, since it was on February 11, 1934, that they welcomed the birth of a beautiful baby girl. Named June Kathryn, this new bundle of joy was the third of four children in her family including her brother, Joseph, and her sisters, Mary Claire and Carol. Her father worked as a surgeon while her mother stayed home to care for their children and the household needs. June was raised in a typical Catholic family and it was during her formative years that her faith was engraved upon her heart.

With our nation’s entrance into WWII in 1941, June’s father enlisted in the Navy and was part of the Normandy Invasion. This left June’s mother on her own with her four children when June was just 12 years old. As a young girl June, who was nicknamed Puddy by her siblings, enjoyed playing with her sisters and like so many children of that generation, they found fun in simple ways. The three sisters enjoyed playing cards, ping-pong, and kick the can. They also liked taking the bus to Belle Isle where they spent time at the Detroit Boat Club. As a family they took three weeks off every summer for vacations at Mullett Lake, and they also took a family vacation to Yellowstone National Park in 1946. June was an active young girl who played field hockey from fifth through the twelfth grade. She graduated from the Academy of Sacred Heart in Detroit.

Great and exciting days were in store for June after she met the man with whom she would establish the family she adored. His name was Dr. R. Richard Ray and they met on a blind date. After falling in love, the couple married and was later blessed with five sons. June fully immersed herself into her roles as a wife and mother and was actively involved in the lives of her boys. Since her husband was often coaching their sons in various sports they were a part of, June attended every sporting event they were ever involved in - a true “soccer mom” well before there was a name for such a role. She was deeply saddened with the death of her husband when he was only 55 years old. To make matters worse, June was dealt a devastating blow with the death of her son, Sean Michael, just seven months later when he was only 24 years old.

Throughout her life, June was a woman of many interests. Her church, Our Lady of Refuge in Orchard Lake, played a vital role in her life. June had a close group of lady friends from church who called themselves “The Refugees.” She was a big fan of all the Detroit teams and of the University of Michigan as well, and she also enjoyed watching golf on television. June also kept busy gardening, reading, and knitting.

For one year June worked as an elementary school teacher in the Detroit area. After retiring from Ideation in Ann Arbor in 2001, June moved to the Holland area where she continued to live an active lifestyle. She volunteered in the office at her church, St. Francis de Sales, as well as at the Evergreen Commons. June also worked part-time at the DeWitt Tennis Center at Hope College, and she enjoyed attending various sporting events at the college, especially basketball. She joined the Holland Literary Club where she loved being involved with other reading enthusiasts.

Dark days were again in store for June when her son, Dennis Frances, died in 2010. Again she relied on the strength she gleaned from both her faith and her family during the days, weeks, and months that followed his death.

In all that she did, June Ray was a light in the lives of those around her. She deeply loved others and formed close relationships with so many, even during the sunset of her life. June treasured her family and enjoyed spending time with her seven grandchildren who were her greatest pride and joy. A compassionate and tender woman, June’s absence will be keenly felt by many. She leaves behind a rich tapestry of memories to be cherished for generations to come.

June Kathryn Ray of Holland formerly of W. Bloomfield, MI died Thursday Jan. 20, 2011 at Hospice House of Holland.

June’s family includes her children, R. Richard (Carol) Ray Jr. of Holland, Timothy Patrick (Jody) Ray of Thornton, CO, Kevin Joseph (Lilian) Ray of Howell, and daughter-in-law, Susan Ray of Tampa, FL; 7 grandchildren; brother, Joseph (Rosemary) Dwyer of Farmington Hills; sisters, Mary Claire (William) Anhut of Ypsilanti, MI and Carol Ward of Troy, MI; brothers and sisters-in-law, Paul (Mary Ann) Ray of Easton, Md., Don Ray, and Joan (Gary) Rosser of Fraser, MI., as well as several nieces and nephews.

June was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. R. Richard Ray and her sons, Sean Michael Ray in 1988 and Dennis Frances Ray in 2010.

Funeral services will be held Monday, 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales Church, 195 W. 13th St. with Fr. Charlie Brown officiating.

Visitation is Sunday, 5-8 at the Dykstra Funeral Homes, Mulder Chapel, 188 West 32nd Street, Holland, MI and Monday 10 – 11 at the church prior to the service.

Burial will be in Pine Lake Cemetery, Oakland CO.

Please visit www.dykstrafuneralhome.com where you can leave a favorite memory or photo, sign the online guestbook, or make a memorial contribution to the National Kidney Foundation, www.kidney.org.