Obituary of Lois Alta Ray

DELHI Lois Alta (Wilson) Ray, 81, of Delhi, passed away at home on Tuesday, May 29, 2012, after a lengthy illness. She was born on June 25, 1930 at home in the Town of Walton, the daughter of Hobart and Lillian (Carpenter) Wilson. She married Robert W. Ray on June 11, 1949 in Delhi. A graduate of Walton Central School, Lois went on to attend the Delhi Agricultural and Technical School in Delhi and received a degree in Quantity Cooking in 1949. She and her husband owned and operated Ray Plumbing and Heating, Inc. for more than 40 years during which time Lois tended the home and took care of the bookkeeping for the business. After the business closed, she went on to work briefly as a cooking aid at the Countryside Care Center in Delhi. Most recently, until her death, she was a Tax Assessor for the Town of Delhi. Active in the community, Lois spearheaded many projects including the installation of new Christmas lights along Main Street in Delhi, establishing a Youth Canteen, the creation of the Delhi Community Band and raising the necessary funds to rebuild both Sherwoods and Bridge Street bridges. During her life she was a Cub Scout Den Mother and 4-H Leader, an EMT on the Delhi Emergency Squad and a member of the Delhi Fire Department, Show Secretary for the Delaware County Fair Open Horse Show, bookkeeper for the Delaware County Agricultural Society, Treasurer for the Delaware County Council of Churches and President of the Board for the Senior Housing at 7 Main Street, Delhi. Lois was a member of the United Ministry of Delhi and was actively involved in fundraising for the Delhi Community Pool. Lois was a champion for youth in the community and was always there to lend a helping hand for anyone in need. She was honored with many awards and accolades including, Delhi Fire Department's "Fireman of the Year", Delaware Valley Agricultural Society's "Fairperson of the Year", the Dewitt Clinton Masonic Award For Community Service and being honored by Delaware County Christian Ministries. Lois is survived by her husband, Bob Ray of Delhi; a son and daughter-in-law, Fredrick (Rick) and Susan Ray of East Meredith; a daughter and son-in-law, Helen and Bruce Van Houten of Davenport; a special daughter, Kay Richards of Portland, OR; and a special daughter and her husband, Eileen and Mark Dougherty of Weare, NH; 5 grandchildren, Nathan Ray, Michael and Aimee Van Houten, Benson Ray, Jennifer Ray, and Sarah Condon; 4 great grandchildren, Joseph, Haylee, Benjamin, and Gabriel; a brother and sister-in-law, Niles and Georgie Wilson of Walton; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by 5 brothers: Harley, Lyle, Arthur, Doug, and Burton Wilson. Calling hours will take place on Thursday, June 7, 2012, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the MacArthur Funeral Home, Delhi. A funeral service will take place on Friday, June 8, 2012 at 2 p.m. at the United Ministry, Delhi, with Rev. Martha Vink and Rev. Bert More officiating. Burial will take place in Woodland Cemetery, Delhi, at the convenience of the family. Contributions in Lois' memory may be made to the Delhi Pool Fund, Town of Delhi-Pool, 5 Elm Street, Delhi, NY 13753, the Delhi Fire Department, PO Box 405, Delhi, NY 13753, the Delaware Valley Agricultural Society (Niles Wilson, Treasurer, 2919 Beers Brook Road, Walton, NY 13856) or Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820. Condolences can be left for the family online at www.macarthurfh.com. Arrangements are by the MacArthur Funeral Home of Delhi.