Mary Ray

Mary Alice Ray, age 80, of Washington, Iowa died Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at the United Presbyterian Home following a lengthy battle with cancer. Celebration of life services will be held 10:30 am Friday, November 12, 2010 at the Jones Eden Funeral Home with Rev. Herb Yoder officiating. Memorial services will also be held in conjunction with Evensong Services, 6:30 pm Sunday, November 14th at the United Presbyterian Home in Washington. Visitation will begin noon Thursday at the Jones Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 Thursday evening. Interment will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington. Memorials have been established for the Washington Public Library. Online condolences may be sent for Mary’s family through the web at www.jonesfh.com. Mary was born August 20, 1930 in Maryville, Missouri the daughter of Samuel C. and Eva (Dickey) Simmering. She graduated from Washington High School and later attended the New Jersey College for Women in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Mary graduated from the University of Iowa in 1951 with a degree in nursing. In 1956 received a BA in Psychology and in 1976 a Masters Degree in Nursing of Children. Mary was married to Ernest C. Ray on November 21, 1951 in Iowa City, Iowa. Mary worked for ten years at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, for two years at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant and for two years at the University of Iowa College of Nursing. She was employed at the Washington County Hospital in the OB Department for 22 years retiring in 1992. She was a member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and Friends of the Library. In 1960, Mary had the pleasure of traveling around the world with her husband. She enjoyed traveling and searching for covered bridges. Mary was devoted to her cats and enjoyed sewing and crocheting. She is survived by her son Nigel Ray and wife Susan of Iowa City, Iowa; daughter-in-law Eleanor Ray of Iowa City, Iowa; grandson David Ray of Mt. Vernon, Iowa; and one brother Karl Simmering and wife Sher of New Boston, Texas. Mary was preceded in death by her parents and one son Brandon in 2006.

Mary Ray

August 20, 1930 - November 10, 2010